China’s warship Fujian.

India’s eyes are fixed on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. This Chinese warship was seen out of the port in the South Sea for the first time on Monday. This has been revealed from the latest satellite imagery. This has increased the turmoil in the Indo-Pacific. Fujian is said to be China’s most modern and recently commissioned aircraft carrier.

It is believed that this could be Fujian’s first operational deployment. Besides, China’s second carrier Shandong is also seen active in the sea. This incident once again shows China’s growing military ambitions in the South China Sea. It is being told that the simultaneous activation of both Fujian and Shandong in the sea is a sign of change in China’s naval strategy, which can strengthen its efforts to increase its presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in the future.

Why is this deployment important?

China’s dual carrier activism has come at a time when India is working on a strategy to become a major pillar of stability in the Indo-Pacific by strengthening its naval capability. According to a media report, Fujian is China’s most technologically advanced carrier, whose Electromagnetic Catapult Launch System (EMALS-like capability) makes it a major means of power projection across the region. This deployment of China is also being considered a very important sign for Andaman-Nicobar, Malacca Strait and the monitoring strip of the Indian Navy, because India keeps a direct eye on any activity from the South China Sea towards the Indian Ocean.

What is India’s preparation?

IMAC, Mission MAHASAGAR and indigenous naval power India has recently further upgraded its maritime surveillance system IMAC (Information Management and Analysis Centre), which keeps an accurate eye on China’s maritime activities. The Indian Navy is also enhancing maritime security with partner countries in the Indo-Pacific under its Mission MAHASAGAR and Preferred Security Partner. Indigenous aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, as well as P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and sea-based surveillance systems, strengthen India’s real-time monitoring capability over any deployment by China.

What does this development indicate?

The landing of China’s Fujian carrier could open a new chapter in the Indo-Pacific power balance. India’s defense agencies are watching this deployment carefully, especially at a time when the movement of Chinese submarines and survey ships has increased in the Indian Ocean. This dual career activism of China is not just a display of regional power but a strategic signal for India and its partner countries. In the coming days, its impact can be clearly seen in India’s maritime strategy, partnership exercises and naval deployment.