China has officially commissioned the Fujian, its most advanced aircraft carrier to date, marking a important milestone in the nation’s rapidly modernizing navy.The launch of the vessel-equipped with cutting-edge electromagnetic catapult technology-is widely viewed as a direct response to U.S. naval power in the Indo-Pacific region, where tensions remain high. This progress reflects China’s ambition to project power further from its shores and challenge the long-standing military dominance of the United States.
Jakarta –
China has officially commissioned its most advanced warship, the Fujian, a development widely seen as a direct competitor to the U.S. Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford. The launch signals a rapid modernization of the Chinese navy under President Xi Jinping, with a stated goal of building a world-class military by 2049. The move is being closely watched internationally as it reflects a shifting balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Pentagon reports that China currently operates the world’s largest navy in terms of number of ships, boasting a fleet of over 370 vessels, including three aircraft carriers. In response, the United States maintains a fleet of 11 aircraft carriers as a demonstration of its military strength, frequently deploying them in international waters, particularly in the Western Pacific.
Advanced Technology: Electromagnetic Catapults and Stealth Jets
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Both the USS Gerald R. Ford and the CNS Fujian represent the first aircraft carriers in their respective nations to be equipped with electromagnetic catapults. This technology allows for the launch of heavier aircraft and enhances overall combat capabilities.
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Similar to the ten previous Nimitz-class carriers that utilize steam-powered catapults, the U.S. Navy’s newest generation aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, features four catapults on its deck. The Fujian is equipped with three.
Both vessels are also designed to operate carrier-based stealth fighter jets. The Gerald R. Ford is capable of accommodating F-35C jets, although further adjustments are needed for long-term deployment.
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USS Gerald R. Ford. Foto: U.S Naval Forces Central Command.
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Official footage demonstrates the Fujian’s ability to launch and recover J-35 fighter jets, which share design similarities with the F-35C. Both aircraft are designed to evade radar detection and are considered the most advanced naval fighter jets developed by China and the United States, respectively.
Key Differences: Propulsion and Range
Despite its modern features, the Fujian still utilizes steam turbines with diesel generators for propulsion, mirroring the systems found on China’s two previous aircraft carriers, the CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong.
In contrast, all active U.S. aircraft carriers are nuclear-powered, allowing for extended operations without refueling. The USS Gerald R. Ford can operate for 20-25 years before requiring a refueling of its two reactors.
Size and Aircraft Capacity
The Fujian is the largest warship ever constructed in China, displacing over 80,000 tons. However, it remains smaller than the Gerald R. Ford, which has a full displacement of 112,000 tons. The Fujian measures 1,036 feet in length, while the Gerald R. Ford stretches to 1,106 feet.
This size difference allows the Gerald R. Ford to carry more than 75 aircraft, including fighter jets and early warning aircraft. The Fujian is estimated to be able to operate between 50 and 60 aircraft.
Areas of Operation and Main Bases
The Gerald R. Ford is homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, and primarily operates in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Middle East, transiting the Suez Canal to support U.S. military operations in those regions.
The Chinese Navy has confirmed that the Fujian will be the second aircraft carrier – following the Shandong – based at the Yulin Naval Base near Sanya, Hainan, in the northern portion of the South China Sea, an area subject to territorial disputes with several nations.
Due to the location of these bases, it is not anticipated that the two carriers will operate simultaneously in the Western Pacific. The U.S. already maintains the USS George Washington stationed in Japan as part of its forward-deployed forces.
During the commissioning ceremony for the USS Gerald R. Ford in July 2017, then-President Donald Trump stated: “Wherever this ship sails, our allies will be reassured and our enemies will be deterred, because they know America is coming, and coming with full force. Our greatest weapon is our people.”
Xinhua news agency reported: “Fujian, China’s first aircraft carrier with electromagnetic catapults and the third overall, was launched and named in June 2022. Fujian was designed and built independently by China and its electromagnetic catapult technology is among the world’s most advanced.”
(fyk/fyk)
