For the first time ever, China has deployed two aircraft carrier strike groups into the open Pacific, signaling a bold shift in naval power—and a clear message to rivals, especially the United States.

Over the past month, Chinese aircraft carriers have been operating farther from home, more aggressively, and with more advanced capabilities than ever before. From the Philippines to Japan, from the Yellow Sea to the Western Pacific, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is flexing its maritime muscle in ways that analysts say are meant to test cutting-edge technology and show that China is ready to challenge the U.S. Navy’s dominance.

At the heart of this show of force is China’s newest aircraft carrier, Fujian. In a major milestone, the Fujian has just completed its first at-sea aircraft launch and recovery drills using an advanced electromagnetic catapult system—a technology previously exclusive to the U.S. Navy’s newest carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford.

An Expanding Presence Near Hot Zones

This surge in Chinese naval activity isn’t just about new technology—it’s about location and timing.

• In early May, the Shandong carrier group began exercises north of the Philippines.
• The Fujian, still undergoing sea trials, appeared in disputed waters west of the Korean Peninsula.
• Meanwhile, the aging but still active Liaoning was spotted conducting drills near Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

By late May, two of China’s carrier groups were operating in the open Pacific simultaneously—an unprecedented move. Japanese officials reported the Shandong and support ships exercising southeast of Okinawa, while Liaoning was spotted east of Iwo Jima, edging toward Japan’s easternmost island.

Analysts say these moves serve multiple purposes: testing military capabilities, improving operational range, and sending an unmistakable geopolitical signal. Notably, these exercises straddled waters crucial to any U.S. or allied response if China were to move militarily against Taiwan.

Taiwan at the Center of Tensions

Taiwan continues to be a major flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. The island is self-governed and democratic, but Beijing claims it as its own and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under mainland control.

A Taiwanese security official told CNN that throughout May, China regularly deployed around 70 warships and coast guard vessels across the region, spanning the Bohai Sea to the South China Sea.

“This goes beyond defensive posturing,” the official said. “It’s about asserting that the entire first island chain falls within China’s sphere of influence.”

The “first island chain”—stretching from Japan to the Philippines and Indonesia—is seen by both Washington and Beijing as a critical strategic barrier. And China appears intent on pushing that line outward.

Beyond the First Island Chain

Now, China is going beyond that line. Analysts and regional defense officials have noted that Chinese carriers are increasingly operating beyond the so-called “second island chain,” which includes Guam, Saipan, and parts of Micronesia—territories and interests closely tied to the U.S.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi recently warned that China is “demonstrating the ability to conduct long-distance operations in the Pacific,” referencing activity near Japan’s Minamitorishima island.

Ray Powell, director of Stanford’s SeaLight maritime transparency project, says this represents a serious upgrade in PLAN capabilities: “This is a major milestone. China is signaling that its navy can stay out longer, sail farther, and operate with purpose.”

Sending a Strategic Message

While Chinese officials insist these are routine training exercises, the strategic message isn’t lost on regional neighbors or military analysts.

“Beijing is telling the world that it’s a major naval power,” said Carl Schuster, a former U.S. Navy captain. “And it’s making it clear that power can and will be used near its neighbors’ shores if it chooses.”

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed these concerns at the recent Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, warning that China’s use of military pressure around Taiwan and in the South China Sea amounts to coercion:

“Any unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the region by force is unacceptable,” Hegseth said.

Bigger Ships, Bolder Goals

This recent naval push is backed by China’s increasingly powerful fleet. The PLAN now boasts the world’s largest navy by ship count, having overtaken the U.S. Navy around 2020. Its newest surface warships include:

• Type 055 destroyers – 12,000-ton heavyweights seen by many analysts as among the world’s most capable surface combatants.
• Type 052DM destroyers – Smaller but modern ships, often accompanying carrier strike groups.

A recent report in China’s state-run Global Times suggested the PLAN could eventually operate in all the world’s oceans. Military expert Zhang Junshe argued that China’s global economic footprint justifies the ability to project naval power worldwide.

That may include new deployments in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

The Rise of the Fujian

Central to all this is the Fujian, which may soon be officially commissioned. At roughly 80,000 tons, it’s the largest non-American warship ever built and can carry about 50 aircraft—10 more than China’s older carriers.

But it’s the technology onboard that sets Fujian apart. Its electromagnetic catapult system (EMALS) allows fighter jets to take off with heavier payloads and fuel loads than traditional ski-jump ramps, meaning more range and more firepower. It’s expected to operate stealth fighters like the naval J-35, which cannot fly off the Liaoning or Shandong.

Even more ambitious is China’s next carrier, the Type 004, which is expected to combine EMALS with nuclear propulsion—like America’s USS Ford. A nuclear-powered carrier wouldn’t need to refuel, enabling it to stay at sea for extended operations thousands of miles from Chinese shores.

A Fleet Still Learning

Despite these impressive strides, experts caution that China is still learning what it takes to run a global blue-water navy.

“The PLAN’s carrier force is still developmental,” Powell said. “But China is closing the gap.”

Beijing has taken its first major step into deep-sea carrier operations. And while it may not yet rival the U.S. Navy’s decades of experience, it’s moving quickly—and the world is watching.

Source: CNN – China’s aircraft carriers send message in the open Pacific for the first time – and bigger and more powerful ships are coming

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Dubai, UAE – A dramatic incident unfolded Tuesday when an F/A-18 fighter jet landing on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea went overboard, causing both pilots to eject, according to a defense official who spoke with The Associated Press.

This mishap adds to a string of incidents during the Truman’s deployment, which has been crucial to the United States’ airstrike campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Meanwhile, on the diplomatic front, U.S. President Donald Trump and Oman’s foreign minister both announced that a ceasefire had been agreed upon with the Houthis, which would see them cease targeting ships in the Red Sea corridor. However, the Houthis have not publicly acknowledged this agreement.

Landing Incident: What Went Wrong?

The fighter jet, a F/A-18 Super Hornet, was landing on the Truman after completing a mission. According to the official, the arrestment system, which helps secure planes landing on aircraft carriers by catching them with steel cables, failed during the landing. The cause of the failure remains under investigation.

The two pilots, who ejected from the aircraft just before it went overboard, were rescued by a helicopter and were reported to have sustained only minor injuries. Thankfully, no one was hurt on the flight deck.

This is not the first time the Navy has lost an F/A-18 on the Truman. In April, another F/A-18 slipped off the Truman’s hangar deck and fell into the Red Sea. Earlier, in December, the USS Gettysburg mistakenly shot down an F/A-18 fighter jet. Fortunately, the pilots involved in all these incidents survived.

A Series of Setbacks for the USS Harry S. Truman

The USS Harry S. Truman, based out of Norfolk, Virginia, has faced a series of mishaps throughout its deployment, which has been extended multiple times due to the ongoing conflict with the Houthis. The carrier has been central to U.S. operations against the rebels in Yemen.

Earlier this year, the Truman also collided with a merchant vessel near Egypt’s Port Said, adding to the list of troubles during its extended deployment. To support operations, the Truman was recently joined by the USS Carl Vinson, which is currently operating in the Arabian Sea.

Houthi Attacks on Shipping in the Red Sea

Meanwhile, the Houthis have continued their campaign of missile and drone attacks against both military and commercial vessels in the region. This is part of their broader strategy to disrupt the global shipping lanes and end Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

From November 2023 to January 2025, the Houthis targeted more than 100 merchant vessels, sinking two ships and killing four sailors. These attacks have had a significant impact on global trade, with the Red Sea corridor typically handling $1 trillion in goods annually.

After a temporary ceasefire, the Houthis resumed their attacks following a U.S. military offensive against them in mid-March. The volatile situation in the region continues to pose risks to international trade and military operations.

As the investigation into the latest mishap continues, the U.S. Navy and its allies are dealing with ongoing risks in this crucial region.

Source: AP News – Fighter jet landing on USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier goes overboard, forcing pilots to eject

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The US Navy has lost a $60 million F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet after it accidentally fell overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman during towing operations, officials confirmed Monday.

According to initial reports, the aircraft carrier had to make a sudden hard turn to evade incoming fire from Houthi rebels, which likely contributed to the mishap. The incident occurred in the Red Sea, where the Harry S. Truman is currently deployed as part of a major US military operation against Houthi forces.

All sailors aboard were accounted for, though one suffered a minor injury during the event.

In a statement, the Navy explained that the jet was being moved inside the ship’s hangar bay when the crew lost control. Both the aircraft and the tow tractor plunged into the sea. Sailors towing the plane quickly took action to clear the area before it went overboard, the Navy said. An investigation is now underway.

A second official confirmed to CNN that the Super Hornet has sunk. Each F/A-18E Super Hornet carries a hefty price tag, with the Navy estimating the cost at over $60 million.

Despite the loss, Navy officials emphasized that the Truman Carrier Strike Group and its air wing remain fully mission capable.

The Harry S. Truman has had a rough deployment in the Middle East. In addition to frequent attacks from Iran-backed Houthis, the carrier made headlines in February when it collided with a merchant ship near Egypt — though no injuries were reported. In another incident last December, a different F/A-18 from the Truman was mistakenly shot down by the USS Gettysburg during an exercise in the Red Sea. Thankfully, both pilots ejected safely.

Source: CNN – US Navy loses $60 million jet at sea after it fell overboard from aircraft carrier

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Newly released photos highlight the damage sustained by the USS Harry S. Truman, a US Navy aircraft carrier, after a collision with a merchant vessel last week.

Collision Near Suez Canal

The accident occurred near the entrance to the Suez Canal, where the Truman collided with the Besiktas-M, a Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier measuring 617 feet (188 meters) in length. The impact took place in the busy waters off Egypt’s Port Said, a key transit area for ships navigating the canal.

While both vessels sustained damage, no injuries were reported.

Extent of Damage to USS Truman

Photos released by the Navy on Saturday reveal damage to the exterior starboard quarter of the 1,100-foot-long, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The affected areas include:

• The exterior walls of two storage rooms
• A maintenance space
• A line-handling area
• The fantail
• A platform above one of the storage spaces

Despite the damage, the Navy confirmed that the Truman’s combat capability remains intact, and the ship has continued flight operations since the accident last Wednesday night.

Repairs Underway in Greece

Following the collision, the USS Truman docked at a US naval facility in Souda Bay, Greece, for repairs. A team of structural engineers and naval architects is currently assessing the damage and planning repairs, though no timeline has been provided.

Navigational Challenges in the Suez Region

Former US Navy captain Carl Schuster, now an instructor at Hawaii Pacific University, explained the risks of operating in the congested Suez Canal region.

“There is not a lot of room for maneuvering in a restricted seaway, and both ships require about one nautical mile to stop,” Schuster said. Even minor navigation errors, misinterpretations of another ship’s movements, or delayed decisions can quickly create dangerous situations with limited escape options, he added.

Truman’s Recent Combat Operations

Before the accident, the Truman had completed a two-month deployment in the Central Command region, conducting:

• Strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen
• Airstrikes against ISIS in Somalia

The aircraft carrier had docked in Souda Bay for a working port visit before the collision.

Carrier Strike Group Remains Operational

Despite the setback, Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of the Truman’s carrier strike group—which includes a guided-missile cruiser and three destroyers—emphasized that the fleet remains active and mission-ready.

“Our mission has not changed, and we remain committed to responding to any challenge in this dynamic and global security environment,” Bailey said.

The USS Truman’s ongoing operations highlight its critical role in regional security and global naval strategy, even as repairs continue.

Source

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