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In the 21st century, maritime power has become a key component of major military powers and is a solid support for safeguarding maritime rights and interests. Since the end of World War II, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has occupied the position of the first navy in Asia due to its superiority in quantity and quality. Although their capital warships are advertised as "frigates", they actually have a variety of powerful equipment such as light aircraft carriers, AIP submarines and Aegis warships, which is enviable.
However, with more than a decade of development, the Chinese Navy has undergone tremendous changes. China has introduced a number of new warships and has self-developed domestic aircraft carriers, and its maritime power has gradually increased, and it has surpassed Japan to become the largest naval power in Asia. So how did the Chinese Navy achieve such prominence?
First, let's look at the aircraft carrier forces of the Chinese Navy. Aircraft carriers are a key element of ocean-going operations, and China was acutely aware of the deterrent power of U.S. aircraft carrier battle groups during the 1996 Taiwan Strait crisis. Therefore, China quickly set about building its own aircraft carriers. China's first aircraft carrier, commissioned in 2012 under the name Type 001 Liaoning, marked China's entry into the aircraft carrier club. Immediately afterwards, China built the Type 002 aircraft carrier "Shandong", which was put into service in 2019. Although the performance of these two aircraft carriers is not advanced internationally, they have accumulated valuable experience for China's aircraft carrier development.
However, the Type 003 "Fujian", launched in 2022, has completely changed the image of Chinese aircraft carriers. The Type 003 aircraft carrier has a full load displacement of 80,000 tons, which is comparable to the American Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier. It uses all-electric propulsion technology with a maximum speed of more than 30 knots and is equipped with an advanced phased array radar, electromagnetic catapult and arresting cable recovery system. These technologies allow Chinese carrier-based aircraft to no longer need ski-jump takeoffs, but can eject takeoffs from the deck like American aircraft carriers, greatly improving takeoff and landing efficiency. The Type 003 aircraft carrier can also carry 60 to 70 carrier-based aircraft, including the Air Police -600 AWACS aircraft and the J-15D electronic warfare aircraft, further enhancing the fleet's combat capabilities. It can be said that China's three aircraft carriers have formed a strong carrier-based aircraft formation and become the number one aircraft carrier power in Asia.
In addition to aircraft carriers, China's capital warships have also undergone a process from weak to strong. The Chinese Navy now has 39 air defense vessels, including Type 052C, Type 052D and Type 055 destroyers. The Type 052C is China's first air defense shield ship, although the comprehensive performance is not as good as the standards of Western countries, but it marks the emergence of Chinese air defense ships. The Type 052D is the largest number of destroyers, equipped with advanced phased array radar and more missile vertical units, and its comprehensive performance surpasses that of Japanese and South Korean shield ships. The Type 055 destroyer is China's newest air defense ship, comparable in tonnage to cruisers of Western countries, equipped with more advanced radar systems and more missile vertical units, and its comprehensive performance is almost comparable to the Burke class of the United States. China's number and performance of air defense ships are far ahead in Asia, becoming the largest air defense ship country in Asia.
In addition, significant progress has been made on Chinese frigates. The Chinese Navy currently has 99 frigates of various types, including Type 054A and Type 056A. The Type 054A frigate has been upgraded in terms of shipborne radar, sonar equipment and weapon systems, and its comprehensive performance surpasses that of similar ships in South Korea and Japan. Although the Type 056A corvette is simple in configuration, it has excellent performance in coastal anti-submarine warfare and is a cost-effective battleship. China's frigate number and performance are far ahead in Asia, becoming the largest frigate country in Asia.
As for underwater forces, China has a huge number of submarines, with 78 submarines of various types, including attack nuclear submarines and diesel-electric submarines. Although there is still a gap in performance, China's diesel-electric submarines have made significant progress through the introduction of AIP technology, and there will be a stronger momentum in the future. In the field of nuclear submarines, the Chinese Navy has attack nuclear submarines and strategic nuclear submarines, although there is still a big gap with the United States in terms of performance, but no other country in Asia is equipped with nuclear weapons
5. The strength of maritime aviation is growing
In addition to aircraft carriers and carrier-based aircraft, the Chinese Navy's maritime air power has also grown significantly.
The Chinese Navy has about 200 naval aircraft and helicopters of different types, including anti-submarine patrol aircraft, electronic reconnaissance aircraft, transport aircraft, helicopters, etc. The presence of these aircraft and helicopters greatly enhances the Navy's reconnaissance, anti-submarine, transport and combat capabilities.
Among them, China's anti-submarine patrol aircraft are a highlight. The Chinese Navy is equipped with several types of anti-submarine patrol aircraft, including the Y-6, Y-8, and the latest Y-9. Equipped with advanced sonar equipment and anti-submarine weapons, these aircraft are capable of effectively searching, locating and attacking submarines.
In addition, China has multi-type electronic reconnaissance aircraft for monitoring and jamming enemy communications and radar systems. These aircraft play an important role in information warfare, providing intelligence support to the Navy.
The Navy's transport aircraft and helicopters also play a key role in ocean-going operations and the transportation of personnel. They can quickly deploy troops and supplies where they are needed, enhancing the Navy's rapid response capabilities.
6. Safeguarding regional maritime rights and interests
The strength of the Chinese Navy is not only reflected in its equipment and technology, but also in its determination to actively safeguard maritime rights and interests. With vast territorial waters and an exclusive economic zone (EEZ), China faces multiple maritime disputes and challenges.
China firmly asserts its territorial and maritime rights and interests, including the South China Sea, the East China Sea, the Diaoyu Islands and their ancillary waters. The Chinese Navy has actively participated in the handling of these disputes and resolutely defended the country's territorial and maritime rights and interests.
Especially in the South China Sea, the Chinese Navy has taken various measures, including island construction, patrol patrols, and the establishment of an air defense identification zone, to safeguard its sovereignty and security. China has also conducted a series of negotiations and diplomatic efforts with neighboring countries to resolve disputes peacefully.
The firm stance and positive actions of the Chinese Navy have enabled it to play a key role in safeguarding the country's maritime rights and interests. This is one of the reasons why the Chinese Navy can assume the largest navy in Asia.
Summary:
The Chinese Navy has made tremendous progress in the 21st century, from aircraft carrier forces, capital warships, frigates, underwater forces to maritime aviation forces. This makes the Chinese Navy the largest navy in Asia, with great maritime power.
The reason why the Chinese Navy has such confidence lies not only in its equipment and quantity, but also in its firm determination to defend its maritime rights and interests. The Chinese Navy actively safeguards its territorial and maritime rights and interests, participates in international maritime security affairs, and makes positive contributions to regional peace and stability.
As an observer, I think the rise of the Chinese Navy is a fact that cannot be ignored. China's growing naval power will continue to play an important role in the Asian region. This also reminds all countries to maintain stability and balance in maritime affairs and jointly safeguard regional peace and prosperity.
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