China Continues Testing Airworthiness of Fujian Aircraft Carrier

With three aircraft carriers, the PLA has more freedom to operate in various waters.

XINHUA/AP/LI YUN

China's aircraft carrier, Fujian, prepares to leave the Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai, on Wednesday (1/5/2024).

SHANGHAI, WEDNESDAY — China's third Fujian aircraft carrier, begins undergoing trials seaworthy in the waters of the East China Sea. The ship is targeted to become fully operational in 2025.

Chinese media, Global Times, in a report on Wednesday (1/5/2024) reviewed the trial. Fujian is said to be equivalent to a new aircraft carrier for a number of other countries. The Western ships included the United States' USS Gerald Ford and Britain's HMS Queen Elizabeth. Among diesel-powered aircraft carriers, Fujian is considered the highest in specifications.

Also read: China shows off the latest appearance of the Fujian aircraft carrier

The Fujian trial began with an announcement from China's Maritime Security Agency on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Fujian left the Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai.

Fujian will enhance the Chinese Navy's combat capabilities and China's maritime capabilities.

Based on the announcement from the China Maritime Safety Administration, this test may last until May 9, 2024. The agency cited military activity in the East China Sea until that date.

AFP/WANG ZHAO

A replica of China's aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is on display at the Chinese Naval Museum in Qingdao, Shandong, on April 23, 2024.

Marine testing focuses on the durability and stability of a ship's operational support system. For Fujian, its initial testing focuses on the engine power and propeller system.

In the coming months, Fujian will carry out several series of sea trials. There will also be experiments with electromagnetic systems and weapon testing, as well as aircraft takeoff processes from the deck.

Also read: Launches New Aircraft Carrier, China's Maritime Fleet Gets Stronger

It is not yet certain how many Fujian trials have been completed. Chinese media,CCTV and Global Times, said the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the shipyard would not rush to complete the trials.

All operational capabilities must be thoroughly tested, and if necessary, improved until the ship is declared combat-ready. Nevertheless, some parties suspect that Fujian will be operational next year.

Second ship

Fujian is China's second aircraft carrier built entirely by the country. China's first aircraft carrier, Liaoning, is a modification of a failed Soviet aircraft carrier.

AFP/WANG ZHAO

A replica of China's aircraft carrier, Shandong, on display at the Chinese Naval Museum in Qingdao, Shandong, on April 23, 2024.

The second aircraft carrier, Shandong, was developed based on Liaoning. The difference is that Shandong was entirely made by China. It took 3.5 years to build and another 1.5 years of testing before Shandong became fully operational.

Meanwhile, Fujian is completely different from Liaoning and Shandong. One of the differences is regarding the use of catapults to launch planes from the deck. Fujian uses an electromagnetic catapult, while Liaoning and Shandong use an elevated deck. The use of catapults makes takeoffs more efficient.

Also read: US-China Aircraft Carriers Sail Almost Closely

Fujian can accommodate larger, more numerous, and diverse aircraft. Planes can take off faster on the deck with a catapault compared to a curved deck.

Fujian is also heavier by up to 20,000 tons compared to Shandong and Liaoning. Experts believe that the size of Fujian allows the ship to carry more aircraft and equipment.

REUTERS

The Chinese ship Liaoning accompanied by a number of other ships patrolled the South China Sea in December 2016.

Shandong and Liaoning can only transport helicopters and J-15s. Meanwhile, Fujian can transport China's most advanced aircraft, the J-20. In addition, new aircraft such as the J-35 stealth fighter, KJ600 radar surveillance aircraft, and JL-10 fighter trainer jet are also said to be used in Fujian.

The Fujian aircraft carrier demonstrates the leaps in defense industry capabilities, as well as the PLA's. With three aircraft carriers, the PLA has greater flexibility in operating in various waters.

Also read: China-US aircraft carrier docks in Taiwan Strait after Tsai-McCarthy meeting

The US Congressional Research Service says the PLA will become the largest Navy in the next few years. China's naval fleet will number 435 ships by 2030.

The US research institution, CSIS, stated that Fujian would allow the PLA to operate further. "The Fujian aircraft carrier will increase China's naval combat capabilities and China's maritime capabilities," CSIS said. (AFP)