China has declared that its Fujian aircraft carrier, the country’s third and its first built with a domestically designed blueprint, is the world’s largest conventionally powered aircraft carrier. This assertion is based on a recent South China Morning Post report citing China’s state broadcaster, CCTV, which delved into the vessel’s power and operating systems. According to CCTV, the Fujian has achieved a feat widely deemed impossible by incorporating an advanced electromagnetic catapult on a conventionally powered ship. This technology was previously believed to be exclusive to nuclear-powered vessels due to the immense power required to launch aircraft.
CCTV emphasized in a Thursday broadcast, “The Fujian is… currently the world’s largest known conventionally powered aircraft carrier by displacement.” The report adds, “In a sense, the larger the carrier’s displacement, the greater its combat power.”
Launched in June 2022, the Fujian’s full load displacement – a measure of a ship’s carrying capacity, range, speed, and maneuverability – surpasses 80,000 tonnes. This substantial size translates into increased aircraft capacity. Comparisons have been drawn to the US Navy’s decommissioned Kitty Hawk-class supercarriers, with the largest being the USS America at approximately 85,000 tonnes. However, the Fujian distinguishes itself by its advanced capabilities, sharing the distinction of employing an electromagnetic catapult with only the nuclear-powered USS Gerald R. Ford, which boasts a displacement exceeding 100,000 tonnes.
The Fujian’s electromagnetic catapults allow for efficient and versatile aircraft launches, accommodating heavier and more advanced aircraft types. “The arrival of the Fujian has not only debunked, with its strength, the design theory that only nuclear-powered carriers can use electromagnetic catapults, but also elevated the combat capabilities of future domestically made carriers to another level,” CCTV is quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post. CCTV also hinted at an upcoming release of information concerning the new carrier-based aircraft intended for the Fujian. The broadcast showcased the Fujian executing a sharp turn, highlighting its ability to minimize its wake and thereby hindering enemy weapons’ detection and targeting capabilities.
Military analyst Cao Weidong, in an interview with CCTV, commented on the Fujian’s design complexity, stating that it surpasses its nuclear-powered counterparts in some aspects due to the need to guarantee sufficient power supply for all onboard devices. Cao also highlighted the carrier’s enhanced aircraft capacity and its ability to launch fixed-wing early warning aircraft using the electromagnetic catapults. This capability translates into extended airborne time, improved radar performance, and enhanced command capabilities. He emphasized that the electromagnetic catapults allow warplanes to take off fully loaded with fuel and ammunition, reducing dependence on refueling aircraft. This operational flexibility opens doors for the deployment of additional drones, transport planes, and electronic warfare aircraft. Cao estimates that trials for the Fujian will span two years, and he predicts that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy may pursue the construction of additional aircraft carriers, potentially powered by nuclear energy.
The Fujian recently concluded its second sea trial earlier this month, following a maiden voyage in May that lasted eight days. These naval maneuvers are interpreted as a demonstration of the PLA’s combat capabilities to stakeholders in both the South China Sea and East China Sea. Meanwhile, the US Navy aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt arrived in South Korea on Saturday to participate in a trilateral exercise with Japan. The three nations have agreed to conduct annual joint drills, a decision made during a summit where they criticized China’s “dangerous and aggressive” actions in the South China Sea. Taiwan’s defence ministry has issued a warning that the Fujian poses a significant threat in potential wartime scenarios. China maintains that Taiwan is an integral part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to reunify it. While most countries, including the United States, do not formally recognize Taiwan as an independent state, Washington opposes any coercive measures and supports Taiwan’s defense efforts.
