3 US and UK Aircraft Carriers Surround China... Intensified Pressure on China [Correspondent Diary]

Carl Vinson, Ronald Reagan, and Queen Elizabeth Carriers Gather, Australian Landing Ship Canberra Joins
Over 200 Carrier-Based Aircraft Train in South China Sea... Likely Challenging to Face Chinese Carrier Shandong

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Aircraft carriers from the three-nation security alliance 'AUKUS'?the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia?are converging in the South China Sea, raising concerns about potential accidental military clashes. This marks the first joint naval exercise in the South China Sea since the official announcement of AUKUS's establishment on the 15th. Moreover, following the first in-person summit of the Quad (QUAD - the United States, Australia, India, Japan) on the 24th, where the U.S. reiterated its stance on countering China, strong backlash from China is expected.

Photo by Huanqiu Shibao Capture

Huanqiu Shibao, citing the U.S. San Diego, reported that the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan entered the South China Sea on the 24th (local time) and conducted naval exercises including carrier-based aircraft takeoffs and landings. The outlet also quoted Taiwan's Liberty Times, stating that seven warships from the U.S., the U.K., and Australia are moving toward the South China Sea and will conduct naval exercises there.

The report further mentioned that the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is moving from northeast of Taiwan toward the Bashi Channel, while the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is moving from southeast of Taiwan toward the Bashi Channel.

If these three aircraft carriers encircle China's South China Sea, they could potentially block not only the maritime routes but also the air routes of the Chinese navy. The USS Ronald Reagan, a Nimitz-class carrier, measures 332.8 meters in length, 76.8 meters in width, and 63 meters in height, with a flight deck area three times the size of a soccer field. Equipped with two nuclear reactors, it can operate for over 20 years on a single fuel load.

The Ronald Reagan carries about 80 carrier-based aircraft, including the Super Hornet (F/A-18) and EA-18G Growler. The Carl Vinson, of the same class as the Ronald Reagan, also carries about 80 carrier-based aircraft. The Carl Vinson is considered to have military power comparable to that of many countries.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The British Royal Navy's pride, HMS Queen Elizabeth, carries 36 of the U.S.'s latest stealth vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) carrier-based aircraft, the F-35B. Although its displacement is smaller than that of the Ronald Reagan and Carl Vinson, it enhances its offensive capability by utilizing VTOL aircraft. The maximum number of daily sorties is known to be 72. The combined carrier-based aircraft aboard the three U.S. and U.K. aircraft carriers total nearly 200.

Additionally, the Australian amphibious assault ship HMAS Canberra is reported to have departed from Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, and is moving toward the South China Sea. Known as a helicopter carrier, the Canberra is moving toward the South China Sea along with several other warships, according to Huanqiu Shibao.

Photo by Chinese Military Website Capture

Huanqiu Shibao reported that China's second aircraft carrier, the Shandong, is currently stationed south of Hainan Island and that the People's Liberation Army will conduct military exercises from the 25th to the 28th.

However, it seems challenging for the Shandong to counter the three U.S. and U.K. aircraft carriers. The Shandong, with a displacement of 70,000 tons, carries 40 J-15 fighter jets. Even if China's first carrier, the Liaoning, joins, it is unlikely to effectively counter the fleets of the U.S., U.K., and Australia.

The report expressed concern that after completing operations in Afghanistan and entering the South China Sea, the USS Ronald Reagan is expected to pass through the Bashi Channel and move to the U.S. military base at Yokosuka Port in Japan, potentially gathering the three U.S. and U.K. aircraft carriers and one Australian landing ship in the Bashi Channel.

Huanqiu Shibao also noted that every time a U.S. aircraft carrier enters the South China Sea, Chinese military aircraft such as the J-11 and J-16 fighters, H-6 bombers, and Y-8 patrol aircraft take off, and that the People's Liberation Army is adequately responding.