Introduction: A new era of naval prestige
Across the Pacific, the flutter of carrier decks signals more than military prowess: it marks a strategic shift in how great powers project force. The United States and China are investing in massively expensive aircraft carriers to extend their reach, deter rivals, and shape maritime rules. The ongoing race is not just about ships; it’s about influence, alliance commitment, and the ability to conduct operations far from home ports.
China’s Fujian: a 80,000-ton symbol of modernization
The Fujian, China’s most ambitious carrier project to date, weighs in at about 80,000 tonnes, stretching more than 300 metres in length. With an estimated load-out of around 60 aircraft, it represents a leap in carrier aviation for the People’s Liberation Army Navy. The vessel places China firmly in the second tier of a global carrier fleet, a group dominated by the United States but increasingly diversified by regional powers. The cost of such a behemoth—often cited around several billions of dollars—underscores the scale of China’s intent: to protect sea lanes, demonstrate resolve in contested zones, and signal the country’s technological and industrial capabilities to a global audience.
Why carriers matter in great-power competition
Aircraft carriers extend a nation’s power beyond its shores in several critical ways. They provide air superiority over vast stretches of ocean, enable rapid response to crises, and serve as force multipliers for allied coalitions. In the U.S. strategy, carrier strike groups are central to expeditionary operations, humanitarian missions, and deterrence against adversaries that challenge freedom of navigation. For China, a modern carrier force supports regional ambitions—whether in the Western Pacific, the South China Sea, or beyond—while signaling the capacity to sustain complex operations at sea.
Costs, capabilities, and trade-offs
Behind the gleaming hulls lie substantial economic and political calculations. Modern carriers demand enormous construction and maintenance budgets, cutting-edge catapult systems (or advanced launch and recovery technologies), and a trained crew capable of executing high-tempo missions. The expense is matched by strategic value: even a single carrier can shape partner capabilities, reassure allies, and influence adversaries. However, carriers also come with vulnerabilities and dilemmas, including the need for sea-based logistics, vulnerable launch decks, and the political optics of deploying expensive platforms in contested waters.
Global implications: alliance dynamics and regional security
As both nations strengthen their carrier fleets, regional naval orders begin to shift. The United States remains the benchmark for power projection, with a tradition of carrier-based diplomacy and readiness. China, advancing with more carriers and increasingly sophisticated support ships, aims to diversify its options for sea denial and power projection. This dynamic affects regional alliance calculus, prompting neighboring states to reassess basing rights, security guarantees, and joint training efforts with major powers. The net effect is a more complex maritime security landscape where naval capabilities are a core component of national strategy.
What to watch next
Observers will watch not only the ships themselves but the broader integration: carrier strike group doctrine, command-and-control resilience, and the ability to sustain long deployments in contested environments. Technologies such as electromagnetic launch systems, advanced radar, and integrated air defense will continue to evolve, reinforcing the strategic value—and the risks—of these capital ships. As the United States and China expand their fleets, the balance of maritime power will hinge on maintenance of alliances, freedom of navigation, and the ability to project air power far from home bases.
