Massive Threat: China’s Fast-New Aircraft Carrier Fleet ..  “Fujian” 3rd Carrier Hits “Sea Trials”

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

How fast can China build a small fleet of nuclear-powered, high-deck aircraft carriers enabling the PRC to massively project global power and presence and also threaten the US in terms of influence and maritime combat capacity? 

The question may not have a clear answer, yet it is one likely to generate much attention at the Pentagon. China has added a second shipyard, is known to be fast-tracking or quickly producing new amphibious assault ships, destroyers and carriers. Also, there is much discussion about the well-known Chinese civil-military “fusion” enabling their government to massively expedite production of new warships. 

Carriers are no exception and are in fact a huge priority for the Chinese. The People’s Liberation Army – Navy has already copied the US in the Pacific and conducted “dual carrier” combat training exercises in the Pacific, and an observers eye look at their newest carriers suggest there may be a US “copycat” or design “rip-off” dynamic as China’s new carrier looks like the USS Ford. 

China is planning a massive 85,000 ton, 40-plus aircraft-strong high-tech carrier engineered with an electromagnetic catapult and a much greater attack range than its first carriers. Such a move is part of an aggressive, multi-year Naval modernization initiative to help the country emerge as a leading global power.