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China’s carrier doctrine is shifting beyond a simple US-style model
The Pentagon previously estimated Beijing would expand to nine carriers by 2035, while analysts say changes are also occurring in areas like pilot recruitment and fleet integration.
China’s aircraft carrier force is evolving as Beijing approaches the centenary goals of the People’s Liberation Army, according to an analysis by SCMP Economy that says the change goes beyond how many carriers China will build.
The article notes that debate about China’s carrier ambitions has often focused on fleet size, citing a Pentagon estimate from last year that Beijing plans to expand its carrier fleet to nine by 2035.
Instead of mirroring the US Navy’s approach, experts argue that the key differences may show up in less visible areas such as pilot recruitment, command structures, and how carrier fleets are integrated.
SCMP Economy also highlights a view from Brendan Mulvaney of the China Aerospace Studies Institute, who said evaluating China’s navy through a US doctrinal mirror can be misleading because missions and strategic challenges differ, leading to different solutions.