Chinese carrier development follows an incremental path comparable to Soviet practice, with a widening set of missions. Island fortifications need a fleet that can support them and manoeuvre around an attacker; otherwise they can be isolated and blockaded. Anti-ship ballistic missiles add firepower but carry a potential escalation risk because a mass launch can resemble a strategic nuclear strike. The first two carriers build STOBAR experience, while Fujian adopts catapult launch and arrested recovery as operations expand toward fuller power projection. China's dependence on energy and raw-material traffic gives it a reason to extend naval aviation into the Indian Ocean.
Chapter · 52:40-1:00:18
China's carriers connect island defense with distant sea lanes
China's incremental carrier program supports defensive depth near the island chains while growing toward power projection along vital Indian Ocean trade routes.