Slick new footage released by Beijing show its new aircraft carrier, the Fuijan, being used to conduct military drills in the East China Sea. China joins the US, France and Indian in owning the prized kit.
China has shown off its horrific new superweapon capable of “striking anywhere on earth”, stoking fears World War 3 may closer than people think. Beijing’s newest and biggest aircraft carrier conducted military drills for the first time, cementing itself in the top tier of world navies, according to news.com.au.
China also produced a slick clip of fighter jets taking off and patrolling waters before successfully touching back down. The stunning development puts China in a small club of countries such as the US, France and India to own such coveted military kit.
It now means Chinese president Xi Jinping can order the carrier’s 40 combat aircraft to strike targets virtually anywhere in the world, and Beijing isn’t shying away from its latest development.
They’ve released photos and extensive footage of the carrier, called Fujian, undertaking drills. “The Fujian and its aircraft have reached world-class levels,” the Communist Party-controlled Global Times recently proclaimed, adding China’s military was taking giant strides towards becoming a “deep-blue water force”.
The 72,500-tonne carrier is one of the largest ships China has produced under is wide-ranging modernisation programme. It also signals a major step-up in capability: the carrier uses electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) which can launch heavy aircraft into the air at speed and grab them when they land on deck.
Only the US Navy’s USS Ford (CVN-78) has the same tech. France’s Charles de Gaulle and India’s Vikrant rely on slower steam-based catapult technology, according to news.com.au.
Fuijan also operates the next generation of stealth fighters, known as J-35s, electronic warfare craft called J-15Ds and advanced radar early warning aircraft, known as KJ-600s. But, unlike US and French ships, the Fujian is not nuclear powered and relies of tankers to provide fuel.
The fleet took pride of place at last month’s military parade in Beijing. The warship was also spotted sailing into the East China Sea by Japan’s military a fortnight ago. It’s also sailed through the disputed Taiwan Straight and on to its new home port of Hainan Island on the northwestern edge of the South China Sea.
There are also plans for “testing” the warship, which has caught the attention of Washington D.C. China military analyst Ben Lewis told the United States Naval Institute (USNI) the trials meant the fleet was almost ready for commissioning.
Alex Luck of Naval News said despite the carrier having three catapults, the recently-released clip shows only one in use, but it is seen launching J-35 Stealth Fighters. He said the Americans are yet to launch theirs.
He also said there are three KJ-600 AEWC aircraft on the deck which “may underscore the high priority and good progress of the carrier-borne early warning aircraft-effort, which is one of the key capabilities setting Fujian apart from her older sisters Liaoning and Shandong.”
It comes as hundreds of US military leaders were summoned by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth for a mystery meeting. This was confirmed by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, who said Hegseth “will be addressing his senior military leaders early next week.”
The reasons for the meeting, penciled in for September 30 in Quantico, Virginia, are still unclear. It’s expected that he will address senior officers. It comes as the Defence Secretary was re-titled by President Trump as the so-called Secretary of War.
The meeting has been set for hundreds of generals and admirals in the US military, many of whom have schedules which are set weeks in advance, Ladbible reports.
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