The Current Global Carrier Showdown
The world is witnessing a new era of naval competition, as several countries are vying for supremacy in the seas with their aircraft carriers. These massive warships, capable of launching and recovering fixed-wing aircraft, are seen as symbols of national power and prestige, as well as platforms for projecting force and influence around the globe. But who has the edge in this carrier showdown, and what are the implications for the future of maritime security?
The Players
The United States remains the undisputed leader in carrier operations, with 11 nuclear-powered supercarriers in service, each carrying around 70 aircraft, mostly F/A-18 Super Hornets and E/A-18 Growlers. The US Navy also operates nine amphibious assault ships, which can carry up to 20 F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, along with helicopters and Marines. The US carriers are part of larger carrier strike groups, which include cruisers, destroyers, submarines, and support ships, providing a formidable array of offensive and defensive capabilities.
China is the most ambitious challenger to the US dominance, with two operational carriers and a third one under construction. China’s first carrier, the Liaoning, is a refurbished Soviet-era vessel, while the second one, the Shandong, is a slightly improved version of the same design. Both carriers are conventionally powered and use a ski-jump ramp to launch their aircraft, which limits their payload and range. China’s carriers carry around 40 aircraft, mostly J-15 fighters, which are based on the Russian Su-33. China is also developing a new carrier-based fighter, the FC-31, which is expected to be stealthy and more capable than the J-15. China’s third carrier, which is expected to be launched in 2023, will be larger and feature a catapult launch system, similar to the US carriers, allowing it to operate more aircraft and more advanced types, such as airborne early warning and electronic warfare planes.
Russia, the former naval superpower, has only one operational carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, which is notorious for its poor reliability and frequent accidents. The Kuznetsov, which is also conventionally powered and uses a ski-jump ramp, carries around 30 aircraft, mostly Su-33 and MiG-29K fighters, along with helicopters. The Kuznetsov is currently undergoing a long and costly overhaul, which has been delayed by several mishaps, including a fire that killed two sailors and damaged the carrier’s flight deck. Russia has no plans to build new carriers in the near future, due to budget constraints and strategic priorities.
The United Kingdom, the former colonial power, has recently returned to the carrier game, after a decade-long gap. The UK has two new carriers, the Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales, which are the largest and most advanced warships ever built by the country. The UK carriers are conventionally powered and use a ski-jump ramp, but they are designed to operate the F-35B, the short take-off and vertical landing variant of the stealth fighter. The UK carriers can carry up to 40 F-35Bs, along with helicopters and drones. The UK carriers are also part of larger carrier strike groups, which include destroyers, frigates, submarines, and support ships, providing a balanced and flexible force.
France, the other European naval power, has one operational carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, which is the only nuclear-powered carrier outside the US. The Charles de Gaulle carries around 40 aircraft, mostly Rafale M fighters, along with helicopters and drones. The Charles de Gaulle is also part of a carrier strike group, which includes destroyers, frigates, submarines, and support ships, providing a robust and versatile force. France is planning to build a new carrier, which will replace the Charles de Gaulle in the 2030s, and will be slightly larger and more capable.
India, the rising Asian power, has two operational carriers, the Vikramaditya and the Vikrant, and a third one under construction. The Vikramaditya is a refurbished Soviet-era vessel, similar to China’s Liaoning, while the Vikrant is the first indigenous carrier built by India. Both carriers are conventionally powered and use a ski-jump ramp, and carry around 30 aircraft, mostly MiG-29K fighters, along with helicopters. India’s third carrier, which is expected to be launched in 2024, will be larger and feature a catapult launch system, allowing it to operate more aircraft and more advanced types, such as the Rafale M or the F/A-18 Super Hornet. India’s carriers are also part of larger carrier strike groups, which include destroyers, frigates, submarines, and support ships, providing a potent and diverse force.
Japan, the other Asian power, has recently upgraded its two helicopter carriers, the Izumo and the Kaga, to enable them to operate the F-35B, making them de facto aircraft carriers. The Izumo and the Kaga are conventionally powered and use a ski-jump ramp, and can carry up to 20 F-35Bs, along with helicopters and drones. Japan also operates two smaller helicopter carriers, the Hyuga and the Ise, which can carry up to 18 helicopters each. Japan’s carriers are part of larger escort flotillas, which include destroyers, frigates, submarines, and support ships, providing a balanced and modern force.
The Implications
The current global carrier showdown reflects the changing dynamics of the international system, as well as the enduring relevance of sea power in the 21st century. The US, as the dominant naval power, faces multiple challenges from rising and resurgent rivals, especially China and Russia, who seek to challenge the US-led order and assert their interests in their regions and beyond. The US carriers, as the core of the US forward presence and power projection, are essential for deterring and defeating potential adversaries, as well as reassuring and supporting allies and partners. The US carriers are also constantly evolving and adapting, with new technologies and concepts, such as the Ford-class carriers, the MQ-25 Stingray unmanned tanker, and the distributed maritime operations.
China, as the most ambitious naval power, aims to build a blue-water navy that can protect its expanding interests and ambitions, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, where it faces a complex strategic environment and multiple disputes, such as the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. China’s carriers, as the flagship of its naval modernization and expansion, are intended to enhance its maritime presence and influence, as well as to counter the US and other regional powers, such as India and Japan. China’s carriers are also rapidly improving and diversifying, with new designs and capabilities, such as the Type 003 carrier, the J-20 stealth fighter, and the integrated network-centric operations.
Russia, as the former naval power, seeks to restore its great power status and influence, especially in Europe and the Middle East, where it faces a hostile NATO and a volatile situation in Syria. Russia’s carrier, as the symbol of its naval prestige and ambition, is meant to demonstrate its resolve and capability, as well as to support its military operations and diplomacy. Russia’s carrier is also struggling and stagnating, with chronic problems and limitations, such as the Kuznetsov’s overhaul, the Su-33’s obsolescence, and the lack of new carriers.
The UK, France, India, Japan, and other carrier-operating countries, as the middle powers, aspire to maintain and enhance their security and interests, especially in their respective regions and beyond, where they face various threats and challenges, such as terrorism, piracy, and regional conflicts. Their carriers, as the manifestation of their naval strength and ambition, are designed to provide them with strategic autonomy and flexibility, as well as to cooperate with their allies and partners, such as the US and each other. Their carriers are also evolving and innovating, with new technologies and concepts, such as the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.
