China Unveils State-of-the-Art Aircraft Carrier Featuring Electromagnetic Catapults
China achieved a significant milestone in pursuing its military objectives both regionally and globally with the launch of its third aircraft carrier since 2012. Commissioned in a November ceremony at the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) Yulin Naval Base on Hainan island, the Type 003 carrier, named Fujian, is recognized as the largest non-nuclear warship globally. It is also noted as the world’s most sophisticated non-American aircraft carrier, symbolizing a substantial advancement in Beijing’s naval prowess. The Fujian, featuring the nation’s inaugural Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), significantly enhances the combat effectiveness of the PLAN by boosting the frequency of aircraft launches and enabling larger jets to be deployed. This homegrown launch system marks the first instance of a nation outside the U.S. developing such technology. Prior to the Fujian’s deployment to the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford had been the sole vessel equipped with the new catapult system.
The significance of the Fujian’s launch grows when viewed against the backdrop of China’s increasingly aggressive naval strategy. Since the beginning of this century, the PLAN has progressively transformed its fleet from an assortment of outdated Soviet-era vessels into the largest naval force in existence. While technologically lagging behind its Western counterparts, China’s capabilities are advancing rapidly. The addition of the Fujian represents another key achievement for a naval initiative aimed not only at establishing regional supremacy but also at enhancing its global influence. Although advancements in China’s carrier capabilities could be countered by the upcoming U.S. Navy nuclear supercarrier, analysts warn that the Fujian’s addition will bring the world’s largest navy closer to challenging the global military presence of its Western adversaries.
PLAN makes a technological advancement
Chinese officials are optimistic that the Fujian will signal a new era for its naval, aerial, and ground forces. Displacing approximately 80,000 tons, the steam-powered Fujian stands as the third largest aircraft carrier class worldwide, trailing only the Gerald R. Ford and the soon-to-be-retired USS Nimitz, while surpassing the United Kingdom’s HMS Queen Elizabeth by 15,000 tons. The roughly 1,036-foot hull can accommodate up to 60 aircraft, a significant upgrade to China’s carrying capabilities. It also features a modernized arsenal, which satellite imagery indicates includes sophisticated missile defense and close-in weapon systems.
While these enhancements are remarkable, the distinguishing feature of the Fujian is its three EMALS. The two prior Chinese aircraft carriers employed short take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) launch systems. Based on Russian designs, these ski jump-style launchers are restricted in the variety of aircraft they can support. In contrast, electromagnetic catapults can launch both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, such as China’s Z-20 helicopters, J-35 and J-15 fighter jets, as well as the KJ-600 airborne early warning aircraft. The latter is particularly significant as it converts the Fujian into a mobile intelligence center. Alongside increasing both the variety and quantity of aircraft, EMALS can also launch heavier payloads and fuel tanks, thereby extending the range and firepower of PLAN’s aerial defenses. Additionally, EMALS may allow Beijing to execute deck-loaded strikes, whereby carriers launch swarms of aircraft simultaneously for decisive operations. Collectively, these advancements will yield substantial benefits, with Lyle Goldstein, director of Asia engagement at the Washington think tank Defense Priorities, stating to the Washington Post that the introduction of an electromagnetic catapult is “doubling or tripling — maybe even quadrupling — the combat lethality” of China’s aircraft carriers.
A global perspective
In a discussion with The Washington Post, Tian Shichen, president of the Global Governance Institute and a former PLAN captain, compared Beijing’s new carriers to NASA’s Apollo program, suggesting that their enduring impact will likely stem from how their underlying technologies modernize China’s fleet. Malcom Davis of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute previously conveyed similar high-level insights to the South China Morning Post, foreseeing that the most significant progression may not be any single technology but rather the evolution of China’s capacity to operate “big deck” carriers. This is particularly relevant as Beijing initiates the development of its fourth carrier. Expected to be the country’s first nuclear-powered carrier, the Type 004’s vast range, combined with the bolstered inventory of logistical support ships, destroyers, and cruisers, will likely enhance Beijing’s expanded geopolitical objectives. The PLAN has also invested significantly in the firepower typical of these strike groups, incorporating YJ-21 hypersonic “carrier killer” anti-ship missiles on its cruisers, implementing electromagnetic catapults on its amphibious assault vessels, and deploying a variety of new fighter jets and early warning aircraft.
Worries about this buildup are highlighted by the PLAN’s recent training exercises, which saw Chinese carriers navigating contested waters in the South China Sea.
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