China Commissions New Aircraft Carrier: A Leap Forward in Naval Power Projection
China's latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, marks a significant advancement in the country's naval capabilities, expanding its power projection far beyond its coastal waters.
China has commissioned its newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, following extensive sea trials, as reported by state media on Friday.
This development signals a significant step forward for China's navy, already one of the largest in the world, aiming to expand its influence and power projection capabilities beyond its immediate coastal areas.The commissioning ceremony, held on Wednesday at a naval base on Hainan Island and attended by top leader Xi Jinping, marks the induction of China’s third aircraft carrier.
Notably, the Fujian is the first carrier designed and built entirely by Chinese engineers, representing a major milestone in the country's military modernization efforts aimed at achieving a 'world-class' force by 2035.The introduction of this new carrier enhances Beijing's capabilities to contend with the United States Navy, particularly in the broader Indo-Pacific region.
According to Greg Poling from the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, carriers are crucial for China’s aspirations to be recognized as a great power with a formidable blue-water navy capable of projecting influence far from its shores.One of the strategic goals for China's naval force is to dominate the waters around the First Island Chain, which includes areas in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and Yellow Sea.
However, there is also a growing interest in extending this dominance into the Pacific by challenging control over the Second Island Chain, where key U.S. military facilities are located, such as Guam.The Fujian’s capabilities are markedly advanced compared to earlier models like the Liaoning and Shandong, which relied on ski-jump systems for launching aircraft.
The new carrier is equipped with an electromagnetic launch system (EMALS), similar to that found in the latest U.S. Navy Ford-class carriers, offering advantages such as reduced stress on aircraft and improved precision in launch control.
This innovation allows China to deploy heavier aircraft, including advanced models like the KJ-600 early warning plane and J-35 and J-15T fighters.Despite these advancements, Chinese naval capabilities still lag behind those of the U.S. Navy in several critical areas.
For instance, while the U.S. operates 11 carriers, China currently has only three, with all of them being conventionally powered rather than nuclear-powered like their American counterparts.
The lack of nuclear propulsion limits the operational range of Chinese carriers.Furthermore, China’s naval fleet lacks a network of overseas bases that support U.S. carrier operations, which are crucial for resupply and emergency landing options.
However, efforts to expand its foreign base capabilities are underway.
Additionally, evidence suggests that China is already constructing another aircraft carrier, indicative of the rapid pace at which it is advancing its military shipbuilding program.The commissioning of the Fujian reflects China's broader strategic intentions beyond regional dominance.
As noted by analyst Tang Meng Kit from Singapore, these developments signal a multifaceted approach to deterring major powers, exerting pressure on regional actors, expanding global influence, and reinforcing domestic legitimacy.While the Fujian carrier represents a significant leap forward for China’s naval power projection, it also underscores ongoing competition in the Indo-Pacific region.
Countries like Japan closely monitor China's military expansions, with concerns about its intentions raised particularly concerning Taiwan.
The Fujian’s capabilities, however, suggest that China aims to extend its strategic reach and contest control over wider oceanic spaces.
This development signals a significant step forward for China's navy, already one of the largest in the world, aiming to expand its influence and power projection capabilities beyond its immediate coastal areas.The commissioning ceremony, held on Wednesday at a naval base on Hainan Island and attended by top leader Xi Jinping, marks the induction of China’s third aircraft carrier.
Notably, the Fujian is the first carrier designed and built entirely by Chinese engineers, representing a major milestone in the country's military modernization efforts aimed at achieving a 'world-class' force by 2035.The introduction of this new carrier enhances Beijing's capabilities to contend with the United States Navy, particularly in the broader Indo-Pacific region.
According to Greg Poling from the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, carriers are crucial for China’s aspirations to be recognized as a great power with a formidable blue-water navy capable of projecting influence far from its shores.One of the strategic goals for China's naval force is to dominate the waters around the First Island Chain, which includes areas in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and Yellow Sea.
However, there is also a growing interest in extending this dominance into the Pacific by challenging control over the Second Island Chain, where key U.S. military facilities are located, such as Guam.The Fujian’s capabilities are markedly advanced compared to earlier models like the Liaoning and Shandong, which relied on ski-jump systems for launching aircraft.
The new carrier is equipped with an electromagnetic launch system (EMALS), similar to that found in the latest U.S. Navy Ford-class carriers, offering advantages such as reduced stress on aircraft and improved precision in launch control.
This innovation allows China to deploy heavier aircraft, including advanced models like the KJ-600 early warning plane and J-35 and J-15T fighters.Despite these advancements, Chinese naval capabilities still lag behind those of the U.S. Navy in several critical areas.
For instance, while the U.S. operates 11 carriers, China currently has only three, with all of them being conventionally powered rather than nuclear-powered like their American counterparts.
The lack of nuclear propulsion limits the operational range of Chinese carriers.Furthermore, China’s naval fleet lacks a network of overseas bases that support U.S. carrier operations, which are crucial for resupply and emergency landing options.
However, efforts to expand its foreign base capabilities are underway.
Additionally, evidence suggests that China is already constructing another aircraft carrier, indicative of the rapid pace at which it is advancing its military shipbuilding program.The commissioning of the Fujian reflects China's broader strategic intentions beyond regional dominance.
As noted by analyst Tang Meng Kit from Singapore, these developments signal a multifaceted approach to deterring major powers, exerting pressure on regional actors, expanding global influence, and reinforcing domestic legitimacy.While the Fujian carrier represents a significant leap forward for China’s naval power projection, it also underscores ongoing competition in the Indo-Pacific region.
Countries like Japan closely monitor China's military expansions, with concerns about its intentions raised particularly concerning Taiwan.
The Fujian’s capabilities, however, suggest that China aims to extend its strategic reach and contest control over wider oceanic spaces.
