Rise of Asian naval might
Sankalan Chattopadhyay reports that if one was asked to name the most fascinating warship of the 21st century, there was a big chance that one may name an aircraft carrier and that too most probably influenced by high definition aesthetic photos released over time by the US Navy.
What was in infancy during the First World War saw rapid growth and rise of British, American, Japanese and Italian carrier battle groups during World War 2. Post WW-II, the US was the largest operator of aircraft carriers but now China is all set to challenge the Americans and Japan and South Korea are soon to join the club.
India
India became the first nation in Asia to operate an aircraft carrier when it acquired a Majestic class one; ex-Royal Navy HMS Defender was renamed INS Vikrant and later became a legend and symbol of 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. India later procured another ex-Royal Navy aircraft carrier and Falkland War veteran to serve as INS Viraat. Currently the Indian Navy operates a single Russian origin Gorshkov class aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and at the same time has successfully constructed an indigenously new carrier, thus entering the selective club of countries that are capable of constructing their own aircraft carriers. The indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant is now (as on 24 October 2021) conducting its second sea trials and is expected to be commissioned by August 2022.
Like the INS Vikramaditya, INS Vikrant is also a Short Take- off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) platform and will carry MiG-29K fighters for a short time till they are replaced by indigenously developed advanced fourth generation platform the TEDBF ( Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter). Besides, according to reports, procurement of a foreign platform (Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III and Dassault Rafale M) is also under consideration. However, experts are already concerned with the limited capability of a STOBAR platform and in favour of a bigger CATOBAR one. The Indian Navy too wishes for a conventionally powered 65,000 tonne super carrier with CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) with EMALS (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System). In future the ‘super carrier’ will be able to house an indigenously developed fifth generation fighter jet (N-AMCA) as well. But till this is sanctioned, the Indian Navy will keep operating two aircraft carriers simultaneously equipped with indigenous fighter jets to protect Indian maritime interests.
China
China is a new player in the field and astonishingly catching up with the US Navy in terms of naval platforms. People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) got its first aircraft carrier in 1998 when it acquired Soviet era carrier Varyag from Ukraine. Infact how China brought Varyag is not less than a thrilling con artist movie. Even before Varyag, China had bought two more carriers for ‘commercial purposes’. Varyag was renamed as Liaoning (CV-16) and it joined Chinese Navy in 2012. Later China built another aircraft carrier indigenously based on Liaoning design and named Shandong (CV-17). However Shandong got several modifications over earlier design which had several drawbacks. Both CV-16 and CV-17 have STOBAR technology to operate J-15, China’s only carrier borne fighter aircraft for now. But the technology limit bars operating an AEW&CS (Airborne Early Warning and Control System) aircraft from either carrier. To overcome the drawback, China is now developing a new generation and its first ‘super carrier’ which will mark its entry into this sophisticated carrier technology era which was till now
held only by the US . Several analysts have tried to assess the under construction (by the time you are reading this it will be almost completed) platform from recent satellite images.
It is believed once completed it will be a 100,000 tonne class carrier with a flat deck. From the possible design one can mistake it as Ford Class aircraft carrier which is the latest entry into US Navy. However, instead of nuclear propulsion it will be an oil fired one. The 320 meter long platform will feature two elevators and three catapults capable of launching the KJ-600 which is supposedly China’s answer to the US E-2D.
Most fascinating feature of the platform is the catapult that will be powered by EMALS. The fixed wing fighter fleet will be formed with twin engine naval stealth fighter (a variant of FC-31) which recently has conducted the first flight and a CATOBAR variant of J-15. The rotorcraft fleet will possibly consist of Z-18F ASW, Z-20F ASW, Z-18J AEW and Z-9C. It is not confirmed yet how many aircraft carriers PLAN will acquire, but many reports suggest it might be six till 2035 including multiple nuclear powered ones. This will not only just throw a serious challenge to the US but will be a great danger to its neighboring countries including India.
Japan
On 3 October 2021, two F- 35Bs from the United States Marine Corps (USMC) conducted launch and landing test on the JS Izumo of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), marking the first carrier operation by Japan since the end of World War Two. Facing increasing aggression by China, Japan is giving up its current pacifist approach and adopting a lot of measures to protect its territorial sovereignty.
The Izumo Class as known as “Helicopter Destroyer” has a displacement of 27,000 tonnes and a length of 248 meters. Till now the aircraft facility consisted of SH-60K/J for anti-submarine warfare and UH-60J for Search and Rescue. But Izumo and Kaga are now being modified to support F-35B Short Take-off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) fighter jets. No doubt these two platforms each equipped with just 12 F-35B will not posses significant capability to thwart a major Chinese (or Russian) misadventure but definitely is enough to deliver a message and keep opposing forces in check.
There are lot of speculations regarding the modifications on these two platforms, but no ski-jump is planned for these instead the trapezoidal bow will be modified to a rectangular one. Besides F-35B, these platforms are reported to carry the V-22 Osprey as well. The Japan Ground SelfDefense Force ( JGSDF) recently has become the first foreign customer with the acquisition of this advanced VTOL tiltrotor. Once the modernisation concludes, with the F-35B, SH-60 and likely V-22, Izumo and Kaga will provide extensive security in the Indo-Pacific Region.
South Korea
Eying the constant threat from North Korea and China, Republic of Korea is gearing up for a blue water navy. Under their CVX programme the nation intends to procure an aircraft carrier by 2030. MADEX 2021 surprised the world when not just one but two different concepts were showcased by two companies. The proposal from Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has a displacement of 30,000 tonnes and a length of 270 meters enabling to carry 16-20 F-35B. It features
twin-island similar to the British Queen Elizabeth class. HHI has brought significant changes from their previous concept to reduce radar signature significantly. The AESA radar is to be installed on the lower part of the islands enabling integration of a wide range of sensors to the upper part. Though developed to support STOVL F-35B, it can be modified as a STOBAR platform as well if needed.
Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. Ltd (DSME) on the other hand presented a much heavier 45,000 tonne flat-top concept. This 263 meter long platform can support a total of 28 F-35B’s. Recently Fincantieri signed a contract with DSME to support the Conceptual Design. Currently, there is no clarification regarding the rotorcraft fleet for CVX, but both designs can support different helicopters as well as unmanned air and sea platforms. There are rumours of a possible naval variant of the KF-21, but it is yet to be confirmed officially.
Turkey
TCG Anadolu is a Turkish amphibious assault ship (LHD) being constructed by Sedef based on Navantia’s Juan Carlos 1 which will be supported by a sister ship TCG Trakya later. Initially they were to carry 16 F- 35B each, but after Turkey was removed from the F-35 programme following a US-Turkey rift, Turkey now plans to equip these with a new variant of TAI Hürjet. Hürjet is an Advanced Jet Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft which does not have STOVL capability and it is not clear what kind of modifications will be conducted for both the LHD and the aircraft. Even if a variant is successfully developed, the capability will be seriously restricted. The LHDs will carry helicopters such as T-129, S-70B, AW-149, CH-47 and several unmanned platforms as well.
Christmas Bonus!
Singapore might look as the most surprising entry here but amidst growing threat from China the tiny nation does not want to lag behind. Singapore is located at the opening of Malacca Straits into the South China Sea and Malacca Straits witnesses roughly one-third of the world’s commercial shipping annually which is now under constant threat from growing Chinese naval activity. So to protect its economic interest Singapore is gearing up with a quick but robust military modernisation. Recently the Foreign Military Sales Programme Office of US Defence Security Cooperation Agency approved four F-35Bs with the option to procure an additional eight platforms, up to 13 F135 engines and related equipment for an estimated US $2.75 billion. Delivery is expected to commence by 2026. F-35B will be able to take-off from comparatively short airstrips of Tengah and Changi. But it has a different and much important angle as well. Many experts believe this procurement is actually a cover-up for a future carrier acquisition following Japanese approach.
Singapore currently operates four Endurance Class 7000 tonne LPDs which can carry some rotorcraft. But these are likely to be replaced by unspecified numbers of “Joint Multi- Mission Ship” being proposed by ST Marine. One of the proposals, Endurance 170, is envisaged as a 19,000 tonne displacement flat deck platform with a length of 170 meters. The deck has five operational spots for helicopter take- off and landings. If modified, can operate F-35 STOVL. One must not forget at this moment officially there are is such requirement but can’t be discarded either as future scenario.
Asia is experiencing rapid economic growth and naturally will invite a clash of interests. While some much more powerful nations will try to increase their sphere of influence and challenge previous maritime superpowers, some will try to protect own interests though a means of defensive offense. With change of strategic interests naturally strategic doctrines will be altered. This is the reason that though many nations are procuring aircraft carriers, each of them has different requirements and different approaches. But one thing is certain, Asia is growing powerful. And these beautiful giant ships are going to announce the “Asian Age” loudly to the world.