Recently, there have been some ** reports that China is building aircraft carriers at an alarming rate, and it is expected to have 7 aircraft carriers in the future. And it's being built at an astonishing rate of one per year. This news surprised many people and also aroused the curiosity of many people. What the hell is going on with China's aircraft carrier program?How strong is China's aircraft carrier strength?Today, I'm going to unravel these mysteries for you.
First, let's look at the truth about China's aircraft carrier program. China currently has two aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong. The Liaoning was converted from the Varyag purchased from Ukraine and entered service in 2012. The Shandong, the first aircraft carrier independently designed and built by China, was commissioned in 2019. Both aircraft carriers are conventionally powered aircraft carriers with glide take-off, and the carrier-based aircraft carried are J-15 types. Currently, China is building a third aircraft carrier, the Fujian. The aircraft carrier is expected to take off with catapults, and the carrier-based aircraft on board may be J-31 or J-20. According to the analysis of some experts, the Fujian could be launched in 2024. As a result, by 2024, China will have 3 aircraft carriers.
So, does China really plan to have 7 aircraft carriers in the future?The ** of this statement is an article titled "The Future of the Chinese Navy," written by a professor at the U.S. Naval War College and published in the Journal of the U.S. Naval Institute in 2020. Based on the historical process and future plans of China's aircraft carrier construction, the article speculates that China may have seven aircraft carriers, including two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and five conventionally powered aircraft carriers. The article also claims that China's aircraft carrier program is aimed at achieving its ambitions for maritime hegemony and poses a serious threat to the United States and its allies. However, this claim has not been officially confirmed by China, nor is there sufficient evidence to support it.
In fact, China's aircraft carrier construction is not to confront any country, but to safeguard its own maritime security and interests, as well as to contribute to world peace and development. China's aircraft carrier program has been steadily advancing in accordance with its own national conditions and needs, at its own pace and steps. China's aircraft carrier program is not static, but will be adjusted and optimized in a timely manner according to changes in the situation and technological progress. Therefore, it is up to China to decide exactly how many aircraft carriers it will build, and when, rather than by outside speculation and speculation.
The aircraft carrier is a complex system, which not only includes the aircraft carrier itself, but also includes carrier-based aircraft, aircraft carrier formations, aircraft carrier battle groups, aircraft carrier combat command, aircraft carrier support and other aspects. To evaluate a country's aircraft carrier strength, we should not only look at the number and scale of aircraft carriers, but also look at the quality and efficiency of aircraft carriers, as well as the overall combat capability of aircraft carriers. Although China's aircraft carrier strength has improved significantly in recent years, there is still a certain gap between it and some old aircraft carrier powers. China's aircraft carriers also need to be improved and perfected in the following aspects:
The technical level of the aircraft carrier. China's aircraft carriers are still in the stage of exploration and development, and it is still necessary to continuously absorb advanced international experience and technology in the design, construction, power, take-off, landing, electronics, and communications of aircraft carriers, so as to improve the performance and reliability of aircraft carriers.
Carrier-based aircraft of the aircraft carrier. At present, it is mainly the J-15 type, which is a third-generation carrier-based aircraft improved from the Soviet Su-33 type, although it has certain combat capabilities, but compared with the American F A-18E F type or F-35C type or other *** or fifth-generation carrier-based aircraft, there is still a certain gap. China needs to speed up the research and development of a new generation of carrier-based aircraft to improve the capabilities of carrier-based aircraft in terms of stealth, maneuverability, firepower, range, and payload.
Formations and battle groups of aircraft carriers. Aircraft carriers do not operate alone, but need to form a coordinated combat system with other ships, submarines, aircraft, satellites, etc. China needs to strengthen the construction of aircraft carrier formations and battle groups, improve the aircraft carrier's air defense, anti-submarine, anti-ship, and anti-missile capabilities, and ensure the safety and effectiveness of the aircraft carrier.
Operational command of the aircraft carrier. Operational command is one of the key factors in determining the combat effectiveness of aircraft carriers. China needs to strengthen the training and drills of the operational command of aircraft carriers, improve the level and capability of the operational command of aircraft carriers, and enable aircraft carriers to flexibly respond to various complex battlefield environments and situations.
Guarantee of aircraft carriers. Support is one of the important conditions for ensuring the sustained combat capability of aircraft carriers. China needs to strengthen the construction of aircraft carrier support, improve the level and capability of aircraft carrier support, and enable aircraft carriers to conduct long-term operations and patrols in the far sea and ocean.
In short, China's aircraft carrier strength is constantly improving, but we cannot be blindly complacent, and we still need to improve and perfect in many aspects in order to truly play the role and value of aircraft carriers.
In short, China's aircraft carrier strategy is a peaceful, reasonable, open, and orderly strategy, a strategy that conforms to China's national interests and international responsibilities, and a strategy that is conducive to maritime peace and development.
Not to compete with any country for hegemony in the seas, but to build harmony in the seas with all countries. Rather, it is to protect and restore the ecology of the ocean. China's aircraft carrier strategy is a responsible strategy and a far-sighted strategy.