CSIS Urges US to Target China's Aircraft Carriers — Defense News
In the United States, the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank has proposed that the United States and its allies in the Pacific region view Chinese aircraft carriers as a strategic vulnerability rather than only a challenge for the U.S. Navy. This approach is outlined in the report “Flip the Script,” Defense News reports.
The study’s authors believe that the United States and its partners could use approaches against People’s Liberation Army Navy carrier groups similar to those Beijing is developing to strike U.S. aircraft carriers. This involves creating a constant threat to Chinese ships in the underwater, air, missile, cyber, and electronic domains.
Submarine Forces and Missiles
CSIS proposes using crewed submarines and uncrewed systems to ambush Chinese aircraft carriers. Such a network could include U.S. nuclear submarines, as well as quiet diesel-electric submarines from Australia, Japan, and South Korea. According to the report’s authors, this would force China to spend more resources on escort ships, anti-submarine aircraft, and fixed sensors.
The researchers also propose deploying land-based anti-ship missiles at bases from Japan to the Philippines. Under the CSIS concept, they would threaten sea passages through which Chinese aircraft carriers could enter the Philippine Sea. The report mentions air-launched anti-ship missiles supported by satellite surveillance, as well as cyber tools and electronic warfare assets to disrupt Chinese command-and-control systems.
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Uncrewed Systems and Production
Separately, CSIS proposes using swarms of uncrewed surface vessels against Chinese ports and ships within them. The report compares this approach with Ukraine’s campaign, which pushed the Russian fleet out of the Black Sea.
China currently has three operational aircraft carriers. According to the Pentagon’s 2025 assessment cited by the publication, the PLA Navy could build six more ships by 2035. CSIS notes that these platforms have military and symbolic importance for Beijing, and their loss could have domestic political consequences.
To implement the strategy, the center proposes increasing procurement of uncrewed underwater vehicles and torpedoes, as well as investing in allied bases to deploy maritime drones. Instead of the planned force structure of 350 crewed ships and 150 surface and underwater drones, CSIS proposes a fleet of 300 crewed and 300 uncrewed platforms. The report’s authors also advise the United States to reach agreements with allies in the Pacific region on joint production of guided munitions.
