Image source: topwar.ru
The South China Morning Post published an interesting article about China's growing need for a large number of its own aircraft carriers. According to analysts interviewed by the publication, China needs at least six aircraft carriers – two ships for each of the three existing fleets. It would also be nice to get a seventh aircraft carrier for operations in the Indian Ocean.
First of all, China needs aircraft carriers to monitor the situation in the Pacific Ocean, especially in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Last month, Beijing launched the third aircraft carrier Fujian. Now the fourth aircraft carrier is under development. In fact, China is turning into the second largest naval power after the United States in terms of the number of aircraft carriers.
However, the Chinese, known for their rationalism, are pragmatic about increasing the number of aircraft carriers. They believe that it is necessary to increase their number, guided by specific national security considerations. For example, Wang Hongliang, a junior researcher at the National Center for Strategic Studies at Shanghai University, suggested in an article published last week that if China can afford it, it needs 2 aircraft carriers for each of the fleets.
Another aircraft carrier, the expert believes, should regularly patrol the Indian Ocean to protect China's most important trade routes. Now, in addition to the recently launched Fujian, the PLA Navy includes the aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong. The first aircraft carrier was bought in Ukraine at one time, and the second was made in its image and likeness, but with many modifications that made it possible to modernize the old Soviet model.
The PLA naval forces are divided into three fleets – the Northern Navy, covering the Yellow Sea and the Korean Peninsula; the Eastern Navy, responsible for the territory that includes Taiwan; and the Southern Navy. The new aircraft carrier Fujian is likely to be included in the Eastern Navy, it will play an important role in the event of a potential armed conflict in the Taiwan Strait. The aircraft carrier Liaoning is assigned to the Northern Fleet, and the Shandong to the Southern. China will also need aircraft carriers to control the South China Sea with disputed islands.
According to Chinese military experts, there is a difficult security situation in the South China Sea. A long distance from the mainland requires the use of "floating airfields" – aircraft carriers that can be deployed at any time in the appropriate maritime area. If the Southern Fleet receives two aircraft carriers, it will close the last gaps in the defense system of islands in the South China Sea, experts say.
Future aircraft carriers of the Chinese Navy are likely to be built on the basis of the Fujian model. But they will receive updates, especially in terms of upgrading the power system, adding a launch catapult. China will be able to build six aircraft carriers no earlier than 2037, but at that time it will be time for Liaoning to be decommissioned from the Navy. Therefore, Beijing should be puzzled by the construction of more aircraft carriers.
