Is the aircraft carrier ultimately a toy for big countries to bully smaller ones, or is it a core strategic asset?

Aircraft carriers have always been a contentious topic in international relations. Some argue they are tools for big nations to bully smaller ones, while others see them as vital strategic assets for a country.

This controversy raises many questions worth pondering.

First, let's reconsider the fundamental role of aircraft carriers.

In naval warfare, aircraft carriers play a crucial role as the backbone of fleets, undertaking numerous primary combat tasks including aviation control, regional situational awareness, guiding friendly missiles beyond visual range with carrier-based aircraft, formation command centers, and anti-submarine and air defense operations.

The command capabilities of aircraft carriers far surpass other vessels, often delegating command authority to cruisers when radio silence is required.

Therefore, aircraft carriers play a vital role in maintaining maritime security and interests.

However, innovations in carrier technology also bring new challenges.

Take the USS Gerald R. Ford for example. It incorporates several cutting-edge technologies like dual-band radar, a new nuclear propulsion system, and an electromagnetic catapult. While these technologies aim to enhance the carrier's combat effectiveness and survivability, they have encountered reliability issues in practice.

For instance, the Ford's electromagnetic catapult had a much higher failure rate than expected during initial tests, affecting the normal takeoff and landing of carrier-based aircraft and impacting the carrier's overall combat capability.

Similarly, the new dual-band radar system, while theoretically offering a broader surveillance range and higher precision, has also revealed issues of complex maintenance and high costs in practical applications.

These issues have sparked widespread discussion on carrier technology innovation. Technological advancements bring new challenges and risks, but as carriers are the core of naval power, improving their technological level is crucial for maintaining national security and maritime interests.

Thus, it's necessary to pursue technological progress while ensuring the reliability and stability of carriers.

This requires consideration from multiple perspectives, including rigorous and meticulous research and testing in the development stages, as well as consideration of future maintenance and upgrade needs in the design and construction stages to ensure system scalability and compatibility.

The controversy surrounding carriers not only involves technological aspects but also encompasses a battle of public opinion. An article on carriers in the American magazine "The National Interest" sparked a heated debate.

Some analysts believe that hyping up the "carrier uselessness theory" is aimed at disrupting the normal development of the Chinese Navy, further complicating the carrier controversy.

As symbols of naval power, carriers are irreplaceable. However, with technological advancements, carrier combat modes and tactical applications are constantly evolving.

Regarding carrier disputes, it's essential to maintain a clear mind, adhere to one's own development path, continuously enhance naval strength, and adopt an open-minded attitude towards different views and opinions internationally.

In this process, wisdom and strength need to be employed to address various challenges, promote the continuous development of the navy, safeguard the country's maritime interests, and ensure national security and development.

Only then can a country truly become an important force on the international stage.