China’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, is expected to have the ability to carry out “deck load strikes”, a type of swarm attack that could help the country’s navy gain a first-mover advantage in combat, according to state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday.
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A deck load strike refers to the ability to rapidly launch a large number of aircraft at once. This tactic was used by the US Navy during the Vietnam war for shock effect.
While military experts had speculated that the Fujian would be able to carry out these attacks, this was the first state media report to highlight the ability.
“China’s aircraft carrier technology is marking a historic leap as it enters the critical phase of combat capability development,” CCTV reported.
It added the home-grown aircraft carrier had been “progressing steadily” in sea trials since the first test in May of last year and would “soon form a three-carrier fleet” for the Chinese navy.
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The Fujian is expected to be commissioned by the end of the year, CCTV reported in May, joining two active carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong.
