China , India and Japan have turned to aircraft carriers as an extension of military prestige . Comment: Carrier race comes amid rising assertiveness of Asian 's military powers . Ashley Townshend , Joan Rydon Scholar in Government at Oxford University , says there is a disconnect between what an aircraft carrier projects and what it can actually do . Military analysts say the value of a carrier lies in having one rather than using one .
China , India and Japan have turned to aircraft carriers as an extension of military prestige . Comment: Carrier race comes amid rising assertiveness of Asian 's military powers . Military analysts say the value of a carrier lies in having one rather than using one .