A significant demonstration of maritime cooperation took place in the Western Pacific this week as aircraft carriers of the United States of America, France and Japan congregated for joint exercises to the east of the Philippines. This multinational drill underscores the strategic significance of the region as well as the commitment these nations have to maritime interoperability. China, which has the largest fleet in the world by number of ships, didn’t deploy its aircraft carriers during this trilateral drill. Examine the locations and current activities of these key aircraft carriers.
United States Navy Ship Deployments
U.S. Navy has a strong presence in the Pacific. This is crucial to maintaining regional stability as well as responding to possible crises.
- USS Carl Vinson The Philippine Sea (CVN-71) – The Carl Vinson The French carrier FS and the US Navy have been participating in an exercise called Pacific Steller 2025 together since 8 February. Charles De Gaulle Japanese Ship JS Kaga. The exercise is scheduled to end on the 18th of February and focuses on improving joint operational capability as well as maritime domain awareness.
- USS George Washington (CVN-73): Yokosuka, Japan – As of Friday, the George Washington The warship remained at Yokosuka Naval Base, in the Greater Tokyo Area. The information came from a website that tracked port visits for American nuclear warships.
- USS Theodore Roosevelt USS (CVN-71) Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72): San Diego, California – Both the Theodore Roosevelt Then, there is the Abraham Lincoln According to documents detailing the deployment history of U.S. aircraft carriers, they were stationed in San Diego (California) as of Thursday.
- USS Nimitz Eastern Pacific Ocean (CVN-68) – Recent reports indicate the Nimitz Currently, the US Navy is conducting training exercises near Southern California. These drills are preparation for deployment later this year.
- USS Ronald Reagan Bremerton (Washington) – Recent photos released by the U.S. Navy confirm that the Ronald Reagan As of Tuesday, the crew was working on rehabilitation at Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton in Washington. The crew were observed performing rehabilitation.
People’s Liberation Army Navy Status
China’s military expansion has received considerable international attention. Check out the status of China’s aircraft carriers.
- CNS Liaoning Qingdao (Shandong) – Satellite imagery from Friday revealed the LiaoningChina’s very first operating aircraft carrier at Qingdao in Shandong.
- CNS Shandong (17): Sanya, Hainan – The ShandongSatellite imagery shows that China’s second aircraft carrier was seen at the port of its hometown in Sanya (Hainan Province) on Monday.
- CNS Fujian 18) Shanghai – China’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the FujianAs of Thursday, remained in dry dock at Jiangnan Shipyard’s Shanghai. The ship is currently undergoing the final stages of construction and equipping before it can be commissioned.
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Carrier Developments
Japan actively enhances its maritime capabilities. This includes the conversion of helicopter destroers into aircraft carrier.
- JS Kaga DDH-184: Philippine Sea – The KagaParticipating in Pacific Steller 2025, the vessel is currently being converted into a carrier.
- JS Izumo (DDH-183): Yokohama, Japan – The IzumoSister ship of the Kaga, which is currently undergoing a conversion to an aircraft carrier, at a shipyard located in Yokohama southwest of Tokyo. This conversion should be finished by 2027.
French Navy Pacific Deployment
France also shows its commitment in the Indo-Pacific Region with strategic deployments.
- F Charles de Gaulle The Philippine Sea (R91). – The Charles de Gaulle It is one of the key participants in the Exercise Pacific Steller 2025, which takes place in Philippine Sea. This deployment, which began in November with a five month mission from France, marks the first French aircraft carrier to be sent to the Pacific Ocean after 1968.
The convergence of U.S. naval forces with those of France and Japan in the Philippine Sea highlights the need for maritime cooperation to maintain stability and security throughout the Indo-Pacific. Exercises and deployments allow for improved interoperability as well as training. They also demonstrate an united front to support international law, freedom of navigation, and the rule of law.