On May 1, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) loudly promoted the departure of the Fujian aircraft carrier for sea trials. The CCP currently only has two active aircraft carriers, which can be considered barely adequate. The Fujian is yet to be delivered and still cannot match the strength of the U.S. military. Even compared to Japan over 80 years ago, there is a noticeable gap in the CCP’s aircraft carrier capabilities.
83 years ago, on December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The American military was caught off guard, and the Japanese airstrikes severely damaged the U.S. forces, triggering the Pacific War. Japan also simultaneously attacked the Philippines, Malaysia, Guam, among other locations, but ultimately was defeated by the U.S. Post-war, Japan returned to peace, completely abandoning militarism. Now, the CCP is embracing militarism, vigorously seeking to develop aircraft carriers, initially imitating the former Soviet Union, but ultimately following the path of copying the U.S.
The CCP’s propaganda belittles Japan’s past aircraft carriers, feeling that in tonnage and technology, CCP’s carriers far surpass those of Japan 80 years ago. However, the actual combat capabilities demonstrated by Japan’s carriers at that time are still beyond what the CCP can achieve today.
On November 26, 1941, the Japanese Navy mobilized six aircraft carrier task forces to the waters near Hawaii, with submarines covertly infiltrating the area, initiating a coordinated attack.
In the early morning on December 7, the Japanese aircraft carriers launched the first wave of 183 planes, targeting the densely parked U.S. warships at Pearl Harbor, as the carriers were absent from the harbor, making the tens of thousands of tons of battleships the primary targets.
The first squadron included 89 Aichi D3A carrier-based dive bombers, 49 carrying 1760-pound armor-piercing bombs and 40 carrying Type 91 torpedoes.
The second squadron had 51 Nakajima B5N carrier-based torpedo bombers carrying 550-pound bombs.
The third squadron consisted of 43 Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters engaging in dogfights and strafing ground targets.
In the first wave of the Japanese attack, around 8 of the 1760-pound armor-piercing bombs hit the designated battleship targets, and 17 torpedoes also hit those targets. The U.S. forces were caught off guard, with only a quarter of the anti-aircraft machine guns being put into action, and only four out of 31 anti-aircraft guns being fired.
The Japanese carriers then launched a second wave of 171 aircraft targeting U.S. airfields.
The first squadron included 54 Aichi D3A dive bombers carrying 550-pound and 132-pound bombs.
The second squadron had 81 Nakajima B5N torpedo bombers carrying 550-pound bombs.
The third squadron consisted of 36 Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters responsible for establishing air superiority and ground strafing.
The two waves of Japanese air raids lasted for 90 minutes and achieved significant results. 18 U.S. warships were sunk or grounded, including 8 battleships, 3 cruisers, and 3 destroyers; the 32,000-ton USS Arizona battleship was completely destroyed and unable to be repaired. 2402 U.S. personnel were killed, 1282 were wounded.
Out of the 402 U.S. warplanes stationed in Hawaii, 188 were destroyed, 159 were damaged, with only 8 pilots managing to take off in time, and 6 were believed to have shot down at least one Japanese plane.
55 Japanese pilots and 9 submarine crew members were killed in the attack, with 1 taken prisoner. A total of 354 out of the 414 carrier-based aircraft participated in the air raid, with only a few failing to take off; 9 were lost in the first wave, and 20 in the second. Due to heavier losses in the second wave, the Japanese were concerned about the increased U.S. anti-aircraft fire strength and decided not to launch a third wave, thus missing the opportunity to sink more U.S. warships and inflict damage on U.S. repair facilities and fuel storage. The Japanese also feared the risk of a prolonged stay of their large carrier fleet, which might expose them to a U.S. counterattack, thus they ordered an immediate return.
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who was in command, regretted the failure to launch a third wave of air raids, as it might have further delayed the American counteroffensive by 1 to 2 years. As a result, out of the 21 U.S. warships damaged, only 3 were permanently lost, with the rest quickly repaired and put back into service.
83 years ago, the Japanese carrier fleet conducted a large-scale air raid for the first time; 83 years later, the CCP’s aircraft carriers still lack similar air strike capabilities.
In 1919, Japan began constructing its first aircraft carrier, and by 1941 when Japan launched the Pacific War, they already had a main force of 6 aircraft carriers, including:
– Akagi, displacing 36,000 tons at full load, carrying a maximum of 91 aircraft;
– Kaga, displacing 38,000 tons at full load, carrying a maximum of 90 aircraft;
– Soryu, displacing 32,000 tons at full load, carrying a maximum of 84 aircraft;
– Zuikaku, displacing 32,000 tons at full load, carrying a maximum of 84 aircraft;
– Soho, displacing 19,000 tons at full load, carrying a maximum of 72 aircraft;
– Hiryu, displacing 17,600 tons at full load, carrying a maximum of 73 aircraft;
These 6 main aircraft carriers had speeds ranging from 31.5 knots (58.3 kilometers/hour) to 34.5 knots (63.9 kilometers/hour), with a range from 12,200 kilometers to 19,000 kilometers, comparable to modern battleships.
Additionally, there were 6 light carriers, including:
– Chitose, displacing 15,500 tons at full load, carrying 30 aircraft or 24 seaplanes;
– Chiyoda, displacing 15,500 tons at full load, carrying 30 aircraft or 24 seaplanes;
– Zuiho, displacing 14,000 tons at full load, carrying 30 aircraft;
– Shoho, displacing 13,000 tons at full load, carrying 30 aircraft;
– Ryūjō, displacing 10,000 tons at full load, carrying 48 aircraft;
– Hōshō, displacing 9,646 tons at full load, carrying 15 aircraft.
The maximum speeds of these 6 light carriers ranged from 25 knots (46 kilometers/hour) to 29 knots (54 kilometers/hour), with a range from 11,800 kilometers to 19,000 kilometers. They were primarily involved in escort missions but could also participate in major naval battles if necessary. The tonnage of those carriers was smaller compared to modern carriers, with the largest approaching the size of the U.S. 40,000-ton class amphibious assault ship, albeit all were conventionally powered; however, their speeds were mostly comparable to modern battleships, with some having even greater range.
The CCP’s Shandong aircraft carrier displaces 60,000 to 70,000 tons, with a maximum speed of 31 knots (57 kilometers/hour), an undisclosed maximum range, purportedly capable of carrying 36 aircraft, including 24 J-15 fighters and 12 helicopters. The Fujian carrier is expected to carry 60 aircraft, including 36 to 40 J-15T fighters (or J-35), J-15D electronic warfare aircraft, KJ-600 early warning aircraft, and 20 helicopters.
The carrier-based aircraft of Japan during World War II could not be compared to modern fighter jets, nor were their speeds high, but they were light in weight and could be carried in large quantities on carriers, with ranges that could meet long-distance attack requirements, highlighting the potency of massive aerial assaults. Japan’s carrier-based aircraft at that time were all lightweight planes, including:
– Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter, with a maximum speed of 533 kilometers/hour and a combat range of 1,870 kilometers, primarily used for aerial combat but could also carry a 550-pound bomb;
– Nakajima B5N carrier-based torpedo bomber, with a maximum speed of 430 kilometers/hour and a combat range of 1,352 kilometers, capable of carrying two 550-pound bombs and two 60-pound bombs;
– Aichi D3A carrier-based dive bomber, with a maximum speed of 378 kilometers/hour and a combat range of 978 kilometers, able to carry a 1,760-pound Type 91 torpedo or bomb, or two 550-pound bombs.
During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the navy possessed over 3,089 aircraft of various types and 370 trainers. The frontline combat aircraft totaled 1,830, including 660 fighters, 330 carrier-based attack aircraft, 240 land-based bombers, 520 seaplanes, and reconnaissance planes. The CCP’s naval aviation was far behind in terms of scale and strength, with a significant gap in the number of pilots alone.
In 2005, the CCP purchased the former Soviet aircraft carrier Varyag, which entered Dalian Shipyard. By 2024, after nearly 20 years of development, the CCP now has two active aircraft carriers and one under construction, with around 60 J-15 fighters. Despite being versatile heavy carrier-based fighters, their actual combat capability falls short of expectations.
The CCP’s J-15, modeled after Russia’s Su-33, has an empty weight of 17.5 tons, a maximum takeoff weight of 32.5 tons, making it too heavy for full takeoff load. The CCP has conducted multiple J-15 takeoffs and landings outside the first island chain, only utilizing air-to-air missiles and facing fuel restrictions, significantly limiting range. The primary issue is the difficulty in launching actual airstrikes from the sea. The initial design concept of the former Soviet carriers was to expand near-sea air defense capabilities, with a focus on anti-aircraft operations rather than airstrikes.
The three types of carrier-based aircraft from Japan during World War II had takeoff weights of around 3.8 tons, demonstrating thorough design and planning by Japanese engineers. These lightweight planes easily took off and landed on carrier decks, while the challenge lies in sequential takeoffs and landings due to the large number of aircraft.
The CCP is still exploring carrier-based aircraft capabilities, with the J-15 not suitable as a carrier-based aircraft and rumors persist about the J-35. The CCP’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, adopts electromagnetic catapults, aiming to launch improved J-15T, J-15D, KJ-600 aircraft, but this remains unproven.
The CCP not only lacks in aircraft carriers but also has yet to fully outfit carrier-based aircraft, including various helicopters, all waiting for testing after the completion of the Fujian. The CCP’s carrier-based aircraft and number of pilots are still limited. In 2023, most of the CCP’s naval aviation forces were transferred to the air force, leaving only two J-15 training bases aboard the Liaoning and in the Hainan LingShui, while a third base in Shanghai is forming, yet intending to test different J-15 variants to adapt to the Fujian’s catapults. The J-15 on the Liaoning and Shandong is becoming obsolete.
The CCP’s carriers have ventured near Guam but are still far from Hawaii, ruling out the possibility of a surprise attack. Indeed, the CCP does not currently possess the air strike capabilities that Japan demonstrated 83 years ago. The scale of the former Japanese navy is still out of reach for the CCP.
During the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Japan deployed 6 aircraft carriers, 2 battleships, 2 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 9 destroyers, 8 oilers, 23 submarines, and 5 midget submarines, totaling 414 carrier-based aircraft.
Subsequently, Japan engaged in battles such as the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Battle of Midway, and the battles of the Solomon Islands, during which they suffered heavy losses of carrier-based aircraft, subsequently constructing or converting at least 5 more carriers and 5 light carriers but eventually losing most in battles for the Marianna Islands and the Philippines.
Throughout the Pacific War, Japan had 13 aircraft carriers, 10 escort carriers, 12 major battleships, 18 heavy cruisers, 25 light cruisers, 169 destroyers, 180 destroyer escorts, and 195 submarines. Despite the enormous fleet, they were ultimately defeated by the U.S., showing that justice prevails over evil.
The CCP currently has 2 aircraft carriers, 8 Type 055 destroyers, 25 Type 052D destroyers, 13 test versions of Type 051/052 (B/C) destroyers, 4 modern-class destroyers, 42 Type 054A frigates, 41 conventional-powered submarines, and 9 nuclear-powered attack submarines, roughly distributed across three naval regions. The CCP’s attempts to challenge the U.S. and its allies can be considered overestimating their own capabilities.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has two Izumo-class helicopter destroyers, capable of carrying up to 18 F-35B fighters; two Hyuga-class helicopter destroyers, various destroyers numbering 36, and 24 submarines. While the CCP’s northern naval region has one aircraft carrier, 4 Type 055 destroyers, 8 Type 052D destroyers, 4 prototypes of Type 051C/052 destroyers, 9 Type 054A frigates, and 13 submarines, they lack the strength to engage with Japan, yet we see multiple instances of Chinese warships circling Japan, passing through narrow straits between Japanese islands. The CCP’s deliberate provocations have forced Japan to significantly increase military spending and enhance their defensive capabilities. By antagonizing its close neighbor, the CCP has turned Japan into a major adversary, leading to closer cooperation between Japan and the United States.
In comparison to Japan’s militarism 80 years ago, the CCP’s militarism exceeds it in many aspects, but the CCP’s actual military capabilities fall far short, with a significant amount of performative “false strength.” Utilizing the Fujian aircraft carrier for political propaganda during internal military turmoil cannot mask the true combat capabilities of CCP’s carriers, nor hide the growing weakness within the CCP.
【Epoch Times first issued】