China’s 6 Supercarriers: A Naval Power Shift Redefining the Indo-Pacific!
BY:SpaceEyeNews.
In what could be one of the most pivotal developments in 21st-century naval strategy, China is now on course to deploy a fleet of six aircraft carriers by the early 2030s. These aren’t mere symbols of prestige—they are floating fortresses, sophisticated instruments of national power, and a direct challenge to traditional Western naval dominance. While the U.S. Navy still holds the global lead in carrier numbers and capabilities, China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is closing the gap fast—and with deliberate precision.
From acquiring a retired Soviet hull to developing nuclear-powered supercarriers and next-gen stealth aircraft, China’s evolution from a coastal defense force to a true blue-water navy is not just impressive—it’s transformational.
China’s 6 Supercarriers Fleet Just Shocked the World!
From Soviet Scrap to Carrier Powerhouse
China’s aircraft carrier program had humble and uncertain beginnings. The PLAN’s first carrier, the Liaoning (CV-16), started life as a Soviet Kuznetsov-class ship that was left incomplete after the collapse of the USSR. Purchased from Ukraine in 1998, it was reportedly bought by a Chinese company under the pretense of converting it into a casino. But the real intent soon became clear.
After years of refurbishing and retrofitting in Chinese shipyards, the vessel was recommissioned into the PLAN in 2012. While the Liaoning was never intended to be a front-line warship, its role was critical—it served as a training platform and technological stepping stone for future Chinese carrier development. It featured a ski-jump ramp for aircraft takeoff, which, while simpler than catapult systems, severely restricted aircraft takeoff weight and operational flexibility.
Just seven years later, China unveiled its first indigenously built carrier, the Shandong (CV-17). Commissioned in 2019, it was a refined version of the Liaoning but still employed a ski-jump configuration. While it marked a major domestic achievement, it also highlighted the need for modernization if China hoped to rival American carrier capabilities.
The breakthrough came with the launch of the Type 003 Fujian (CV-18) in 2022. This ship represents a generational leap in Chinese naval engineering. Fujian is the first Chinese carrier to feature a flat-top flight deck and, most importantly, electromagnetic catapult launch systems—technology comparable to the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class supercarriers. The EMALS system enables the launch of a wider variety of aircraft, including heavier and stealthier planes, and allows more aircraft to be launched in a shorter period. This technology also minimizes wear on aircraft and simplifies deck operations.
Fujian’s size is also telling—it’s significantly larger than both Liaoning and Shandong, signaling a commitment to high-capacity, high-endurance operations. Although the ship has undergone several sea trials, and unconfirmed reports mention tests involving the J-35 stealth fighter, the PLAN has yet to officially confirm catapult-based launches.
But China’s ambitions stretch even further. The next evolution, the Type 004, is expected to be nuclear-powered. Nuclear propulsion will grant these carriers unprecedented operational range and the ability to remain at sea for extended periods, supporting sustained missions and global deployment without frequent refueling stops. The PLAN’s transition to nuclear-powered carriers is a bold step that mirrors the U.S. Navy’s strategic capabilities and signals China’s intent to operate on a global scale.
Why Six Carriers? The Logic Behind the Numbers
The figure of six carriers by the early 2030s is not a random goal. It’s based on a calculated assessment of operational needs. According to retired PLA Navy officer Wang Yunfei, who spoke to China’s state-run Global Times, the PLAN needs six aircraft carriers to maintain a steady naval presence at sea while allowing for regular maintenance, repair, and refitting cycles.
In carrier operations, downtime is inevitable. Carriers spend significant time in port undergoing maintenance or upgrades. In some cases, a ship might be docked for months or even years. To ensure that there is always at least one or two carriers active and fully combat-ready, a navy must operate more than it plans to deploy at any given moment.
This model reflects long-standing practices within the U.S. Navy, which operates 11 aircraft carriers—the largest such fleet in the world. The U.S. maintains a strategy of rotational deployment, with some carriers forward-deployed and others in maintenance, preparing to replace active-duty ships.
For China, the number six likely allows it to maintain a minimum of two to three carriers ready for action at all times, with one perhaps permanently stationed in the South China Sea and another near the Taiwan Strait or the Western Pacific. This presence not only boosts regional influence but also acts as a powerful deterrent against potential U.S. or allied intervention in maritime disputes.
The strategy also supports China’s broader goal of becoming a blue-water navy—a force capable of operating globally and projecting power beyond its immediate neighborhood. By the 2030s, if successful, China will be one of only two countries in the world with a fleet of this size, complexity, and reach.
It remains unclear whether this six-carrier total includes both the Liaoning and Shandong, which some analysts believe may eventually be relegated to training or limited operational roles, given their older ski-jump configuration. If those two vessels are excluded, the PLAN would require the construction of six additional operational carriers, making the plan even more ambitious.
The J-35: China’s Naval Stealth Revolution
China’s expanding carrier fleet demands equally advanced aircraft—and the J-35 is at the center of this transformation. Developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the J-35 (sometimes referred to as J-35B) is China’s next-generation, fifth-generation stealth fighter designed specifically for carrier operations.
Unlike the J-15, which was derived from Russia’s Sukhoi Su-33 and has struggled with weight and launch issues, the J-35 is an entirely new design. It reportedly includes features such as folding wings, which allow for storage in the confined space of a carrier hangar, and a reduced radar cross-section thanks to stealth shaping and coatings. Its twin engines provide added redundancy and power, and its airframe appears optimized for catapult launches—particularly the EMALS system installed on the Fujian.
The aircraft is expected to weigh around 17 to 18 tons, with a maximum takeoff weight of up to 25 tons, allowing it to carry more fuel and weapons than its predecessor. This makes the J-35 well-suited to long-range missions, especially when paired with aerial refueling.
In addition to the J-35, China is reportedly working on the KJ-600—a carrier-based airborne early warning aircraft, designed to provide battle management and extended radar coverage over vast maritime areas. Together, these two platforms could create a robust and modern carrier air wing that rivals Western capabilities.
While China has not officially released full specifications or confirmed operational timelines for the J-35, its integration into the Fujian-class and future carriers is expected to be a central element in the PLAN’s future airpower doctrine.
Conclusion: A Changing Tide in Naval Power
The trajectory of China’s aircraft carrier program over the past two decades is nothing short of astonishing. From salvaging a Soviet relic to developing world-class nuclear-powered carriers and cutting-edge stealth fighters, the PLAN has emerged as a formidable maritime force.
The plan to field six aircraft carriers by the 2030s, with a mix of conventional and nuclear propulsion and an air wing centered around stealth and early-warning capabilities, marks a clear pivot in China’s military strategy—from regional defense to global projection. The strategy is not just about deterring enemies; it’s about asserting influence across key sea lanes and challenging the post-WWII naval order dominated by the United States.
If fully realized, this fleet will redefine how naval power is distributed in the Indo-Pacific—and possibly the world. The U.S. Navy will no longer be the only player capable of sustained carrier-based operations across multiple theaters. In this emerging era of high-tech sea power, China’s six-carrier ambition is more than military expansion—it’s a geopolitical statement.
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