France was once a world power and led the world trend in many fields. Now it is left behind by others in many aspects and is stuck, such as in the field of aircraft carrier technology. Although France is still one of the few countries in the world that can build aircraft carriers, many equipment must be imported. Currently, France is implementing a new generation aircraft carrier project, which plans to build a 70,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, but the main equipment depends on the introduction, including: electromagnetic projectiles and arresting systems.
The Fujian was launched
Not long ago, the Fujian was launched, allowing people to witness the progress of China's aircraft carrier technology. More importantly, the installation of China's electromagnetic catapult system means that China's aircraft carrier construction technology has reached the top of the world. Compared with the steam catapult , the electromagnetic catapult has many advantages, including a simpler structure, higher efficiency, and lower cost of use. It will naturally become the standard equipment of the next generation of aircraft carriers. Currently, only China and the United States can manufacture available models for actual ship installation. France is not yet able to master this technology. Now France also wants to equip its own next-generation aircraft carrier. It cannot build it itself and can only ask the Americans to sell it. Apart from importing it from the United States, France has no second choice.
After discovering that the Fujian ship was equipped with electromagnetic ejection equipment, the French naval chief of staff urgently went to the United States to inspect the goods. On June 23, the French naval chief of staff, Admiral Pierre Vandie, visited the United States. This visit It is considered to be a manifestation of the strengthening of cooperation between the United States and France in the military field, but there is one highlight in his trip: a visit to the USS Ford aircraft carrier. Since the Ford is equipped with electromagnetic catapults and blocking devices, people have to think about France's introduction of electromagnetic catapults and other equipment from the United States.
Visiting the USS Ford
Although the attitudes of both parties were very good, the United States held a grand welcome ceremony, and was awarded the Legion of Honor by US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gilday, and met with senior leaders of the US Navy. In order to receive the French visit, U.S. Navy generals arrived one after another. The French Navy Chief of Staff also made a pleasant speech in his speech, giving the impression that the relationship between the two parties is really extraordinary, and the actual relationship is really a problem.
Now the United States is stuck in the neck of the French aircraft carrier! The electromagnetic catapult is a vital piece of equipment for the next generation of French aircraft carrier . It has been determined to be installed at any cost. If you can't build it yourself, you can only buy it. Now that the Fujian ship is launched, electromagnetic ejection has become one of the standard equipment. France found that it was surpassed and was a little anxious, so it asked the United States to buy an electromagnetic ejection system.
Visiting US warships
Now the United States wants to take advantage of the opportunity and raise the price very high. According to the notice sent to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of the U.S. Department of Defense on December 21, 2021, the arms sales of two electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) and an advanced arrester device (AAG) and related equipment to France project, estimated at US$1.321 billion. No matter how you calculate it, it is quite expensive, and the United States really took the opportunity to ask for the price.
People have to ask a question, is France prepared to be the "biggest victim"? Now electromagnetic catapult is a unique equipment of the United States, so if France wants to buy it, it is naturally impossible to get it cheaply. Although the United States has issued a license to sell related designs to France, it is still not easy to achieve a real transaction.
In the aircraft carrier combat center
it is not just the issue of selling things for more money, but also other requirements. Admiral Gilday's speech superficially valued the relationship with France, but mentioned that the two sides "will continue to cooperate seamlessly and work together on important issues." "It appears at local and important times." It is clear that he has the intention to win over France for military intervention around the world, and seeking to get France to support his actions seems to be contrary to France's strategic intentions.
The electromagnetic catapult technology in the United States is not very mature. Even the USS Ford aircraft carrier is still unable to serve normally due to problems with the electromagnetic catapult. When the Ford just went on sea trials, the electromagnetic catapult system was not even usable. . Now it has just reached the point where it can be used, and it is still far from maturity.Regardless of whether it is mature or not, it does not affect the United States' opportunity to choke France's neck. Who prevents France from making it?
Electromagnetic ejection is very good, but there are too few that can be made.
France is helpless now. The relevant technology is too difficult for France, and the demand is not great. If it is independently developed, regardless of how long it will take, the cost will not be cheap. , in the end we can only turn to the United States. This is the reality that is controlled by others.
Modern aircraft carrier technology is the embodiment of the cutting-edge technology of a great power. When France loses its peak state of national power, it will have no way to compete with others in this field and will fall into a state of being controlled and unmanned.
