China can add anti-ship ballistic missiles to its maritime defences, but they do not remove the need for carriers in this argument. The weapons share launch characteristics with the strategic missiles from which they derive. A large salvo sent toward American forces could therefore resemble a nuclear strike while it is still in flight. A US president might have to decide whether to retaliate before learning whether the targets were ships or cities. Conventional naval aviation offers defence and power projection without creating the same launch ambiguity.
Notable Point · 56:06-57:20
Anti-ship ballistic missiles can resemble a strategic strike
A mass launch against a carrier group could be mistaken for nuclear attack before its targets are clear, making conventional sea control a less escalatory option.