On June 17, 2022, China's third aircraft carrier, the Fuzhou, was officially launched and named. This marked a significant milestone for the Chinese Navy as it ventured further into deep waters. The debut of the Fuzhou dealt a psychological blow to traditional naval powers like the UK, France, and especially India, which felt the impact most deeply.
Technological Breakthrough of the Fuzhou
The Fuzhou is China's third aircraft carrier and the first entirely domestically designed and built. With a full load displacement exceeding 80,000 tons, a flight deck length of approximately 316 meters, and a width of about 76 meters, it can accommodate around 58 aircraft including the J-15T, J-35, KJ-600 early warning aircraft, and Z-20 helicopters. Its standout features include a flat flight deck and an electromagnetic catapult system. The flat deck doubles the efficiency of aircraft takeoffs and landings, while the electromagnetic catapult enables fully loaded heavy fighters to take off, maximizing combat capability.
Construction began in 2018, and by 2022, the Fuzhou was launched after just four years. On May 1, 2024, it conducted its first sea trial, testing its power and electrical systems, successfully returning to port eight days later. Subsequent sea trials from May 23 to June 11 and July 3 to July 28 gradually verified its operational capabilities.
Powered by conventional propulsion, likely consisting of eight pressurized boilers paired with four steam turbines, the Fuzhou can reach a maximum speed of 31 knots. It is equipped with 346A C/S band active phased array radars and X band phased array radars, significantly enhancing its detection and command capabilities compared to its predecessors. In contrast, the Liaoning was refitted from the Soviet \"Varyag,\" the Shandong was an improvement based on the Liaoning, while the Fuzhou embodies complete \"Made in China\" innovation from design to construction.
Impact on the Status of the UK, France, and India
The debut of the Fuzhou directly challenged the aircraft carrier capabilities of the UK, France, and India, highlighting their technological inferiority and strategic pressures, particularly felt by India.
Britain, once a naval powerhouse, commanded global attention with its naval strength. It currently operates two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers—the \"HMS Queen Elizabeth\" and \"HMS Prince of Wales,\" each displacing 65,000 tons and capable of carrying 40 F-35B fighters and helicopters. However, these carriers use ski-jump takeoff systems, technologically lagging behind the Fuzhou's electromagnetic catapults and lacking nearly 20,000 tons in size. In 2025, the \"HMS Prince of Wales\" had to return to port shortly after departure due to propeller shaft issues, requiring months of repairs.
France operates the \"Charles de Gaulle\" aircraft carrier, weighing 42,000 tons and powered by nuclear and steam catapults, capable of carrying 40 Rafale fighters and helicopters. As Europe's only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, it was once a source of pride for France. However, compared to the Fuzhou, it falls short in size, efficiency, and reliability. In 2018, the \"Charles de Gaulle\" had to return to port midway due to power system failures, while the Fuzhou's electromagnetic catapults can launch heavy fighters continuously, demonstrating superior operational capabilities over the \"Charles de Gaulle.\"
India operates two aircraft carriers, the \"Vikrant\" and \"Vikramaditya,\" both weighing 40,000 tons. The \"Vikrant,\" domestically built, was commissioned on September 2, 2022, after 13 years of construction, encountering numerous issues during sea trials, including instability requiring adjustments. The \"Vikramaditya\" is a second-hand purchase from Russia, costly to maintain. Both carriers use ski-jump takeoff systems, highlighting a significant technological gap compared to the Fuzhou.
India has long aimed to control the Indian Ocean as its \"internal sea.\" In 1972, it proposed the \"Concentric Circles Strategy\" to gradually dominate the entire Indian Ocean. In 2015, the Modi government launched the \"Ensuring Secure Seas\" strategy, aiming to consolidate its position through naval expansion. However, India's naval strength has not kept pace with its ambitions. China's future deployment of carrier battle groups centered on the Fuzhou in the Indian Ocean could significantly weaken India's control.
Global Implications
The Fuzhou's introduction not only pricked the pride of the UK, France, and India but also reshaped the global naval landscape. China's naval rise necessitates strategic adjustments by these countries, especially India, facing the most severe challenges.
Technologically, the Fuzhou proves China's capability in building large aircraft carriers. In the future, China may continue its carrier plans, even developing nuclear-powered carriers. If so, China's naval capabilities in distant waters would advance, narrowing the gap with the United States. American media notes China's unexpectedly rapid pace of carrier construction, adding pressure on the United States.
For the UK and France, the impact of the Fuzhou is more psychological and technological. Despite being NATO members with U.S. support, their global status has relatively declined due to China's naval progress. However, their primary strategic areas are in Europe and North America, where the direct threat from the Fuzhou is limited.
In contrast, for India, the Indian Ocean is a core area of interest, and the commissioning of the Fuzhou has squeezed its strategic space. In 2023, Indian Defense Minister Singh proposed initiating a third aircraft carrier project, but technological bottlenecks and financial constraints make breakthroughs unlikely in the short term. Conversely, China's naval actions with the Fuzhou in the Indian Ocean could include escort missions, exercises, and demonstrations of power.
The significance of the Fuzhou extends beyond the military realm. It marks China's transition from near-seas to distant-seas operations, providing security for countries along the Belt and Road Initiative and enhancing China's confidence in international affairs. This is not just an upgrade in hardware but also a manifestation of national will.
