China’s newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, may only be able to conduct air operations at about 60% the rate of a 50-year-old US Nimitz-class carrier, according to former US Navy officers, highlighting a significant combat limitation in Beijing’s naval modernization efforts. This assessment, based on the Fujian’s flight deck configuration, underscores the challenges China faces in matching US carrier capabilities despite technological advancements.
The evaluation comes from Carl Schuster, a former US Navy captain, and retired Lt. Cmdr. Keith Stewart, who analyzed the Fujian’s design after reviewing reports and videos. They pointed out that the flight deck layout restricts simultaneous takeoffs and landings, reducing the pace of air operations. Specifically, the landing area crosses the deck at a 6-degree angle, compared to 9 degrees on US carriers, and is longer, encroaching on the forward catapults. This design forces pauses in launching operations during recoveries, limiting efficiency and increasing the risk of flight deck collisions.
The Fujian represents a major step forward for China, as it is the first Chinese carrier equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system, similar to the US Navy’s newest USS Gerald R. Ford. This system allows aircraft to take off with heavier weapon and fuel loads, enabling longer-range strikes. However, the officers noted that the catapults are positioned too close to the landing strip, causing operational conflicts. In contrast, the Nimitz-class carriers, like the USS Nimitz commissioned in 1975, have a more optimized layout that supports higher sortie rates.
China has been rapidly expanding its navy under President Xi Jinping, launching advanced warships to project power in the Pacific. The Fujian, displacing 80,000 tons, is larger than China’s previous carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, which use ski-jump ramps and are limited in payload capacity. Despite this progress, the US maintains a numerical advantage with 11 active carriers to China’s two, with the Fujian expected to be commissioned soon. Recent satellite imagery shows the Fujian docked at Hainan Island, while the USS Nimitz is operating in the South China Sea, highlighting ongoing strategic maneuvers.
The limitations identified by the former officers suggest that China is still on a learning curve with carrier operations. Schuster described the Fujian as a stepping stone, with lessons likely to be incorporated into the next carrier, the Type 004, which is under early construction. Chinese state media has praised the Fujian’s capabilities, with experts like Zhang Junshe highlighting its world-class electromagnetic catapults and the proficiency of naval personnel. However, Stewart emphasized that carrier operations require extensive practice in diverse conditions, noting that experience in challenging scenarios, such as night landings in poor weather, is crucial for safety and effectiveness.
This development occurs amid heightened tensions in the region, with US President Donald Trump visiting allies like Japan and South Korea. The disparity in carrier capabilities could influence military balance and diplomatic relations, as China aims to assert itself as a major naval power. The Fujian’s commissioning will be a key test of its operational readiness, but the identified flaws may delay its full combat potential. As both nations continue to modernize their fleets, the evolution of carrier technology and tactics will shape future naval engagements in contested waters like the South China Sea.
In summary, while the Fujian marks a technological leap for China, its operational shortcomings reveal the complexities of carrier warfare. The insights from former US officers provide a realistic assessment of the challenges ahead, suggesting that China’s path to matching US naval prowess will require not just advanced hardware but also refined operational expertise and experience.