The most advanced U.S. aircraft carrier is rusty, and netizens from Japan, the Philippines, and Australia are very worried: How can we win against the Fujian ship when we encounter it?

Recently, a photo has sparked heated discussions: the "Ford" nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was photographed showing significant rust on multiple parts of the hull while cruising in the Caribbean – noticeable oxidation marks appeared on the deck edges, near the waterline on the hull, and even on the foundation of the island. Meanwhile, the Fujian ship is docked at a military port in the Bohai Sea, preparing to receive a complete squadron of J-35 carrier-based aircraft. The Fujian ship's hull looks as good as new, with clear deck markings, exuding a sense of sharpness.

This contrast has made netizens from Japan, the Philippines, and Australia restless. Many have commented: "Isn't the Ford supposed to be the strongest aircraft carrier of the 21st century? Why does it look like an old ship before decommissioning?" "The Fujian ship has only been in service for a few months, yet its condition is better than that of the Ford, which took ten years to refine. How can we win this battle?"

Although the Ford is technologically advanced, it is limited by the insufficient number of F-35C carrier-based aircraft and the slow integration of the air group, and its claimed "daily sortie rate of 160" has yet to be verified in real-world combat training. After completing its first live-fire confrontation exercise by the end of 2025, the Fujian ship has clearly entered the stage of carrier-aircraft integration. The J-35 squadron being received not only possesses stealth infiltration capabilities but can also establish a data link network with the KJ-600 early warning aircraft, forming an independent closed-loop of air superiority—strike—command. This means that the combat group's operational capability in the western Pacific may take shape faster than the paper parameters indicate.

The concerns of netizens from Japan, the Philippines, and Australia are understandable; after all, if even the most advanced Ford cannot handle the Fujian ship, then the situation in the entire western Pacific can be imagined.