Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian. Fujian (18; ), named after Fujian province, is a Chinese aircraft carrier serving in the People's Liberation Army Navy. It is the third aircraft carrier of the Chinese aircraft carrier programme and the first of the Type 003 class (NATO/OSD Fujian class). It succeeds the Type 002 Shandong which is described as a modified  aircraft carrier. It is China's first indigenously designed carrier, and its first capable of catapult-assisted take-offs (CATOBAR); previous Chinese carriers used ski-jumps (STOBAR).

Fujian was built by the Jiangnan Shipyard for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), launched on 17 June 2022, and started sea trials in May 2024. In 2019, analyst Robert Farley believed that Fujian would be the "largest and most advanced aircraft carrier ever built outside the United States".

Design

Size
The ship is estimated to be  long,  wide, and have a full load displacement of 80,000 to 85,000 tons.

The size has been compared to the United States Navy's s.

Aviation
The flight deck has three electromagnetic catapults (EM catapults) and an angled landing area with arresting gear. As of at least 2024, EM catapults are the most sophisticated aircraft launch technology and are only used on the Fujian and the USS Gerald R. Ford.

Fujians air wing is estimated to include at least 40 fixed-wing aircraft and 12 helicopters. Predicted aircraft models include variants of the Shenyang J-15 fighter, the Shenyang J-35 fighter, and the Xi'an KJ-600 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.

Machinery
Fujian is powered by conventional steam turbines and diesel generators. According to Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping, the ship has an integrated power system (IPS).

Development

Fujians class was originally designated by observers as Type 002. At the time, the class of the incomplete  was thought to be Type 001A. Shandong was officially confirmed as a Type 002 during commissioning in December 2019. After that, observers began referring to the incomplete Fujian as Type 003.

The ship was originally intended to use steam catapults. In 2013, PLAN Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo reported it would use EM catapults; EM catapults prototypes were observed in 2012. The change to EM catapults likely explains the increase in size from previous Chinese carriers.

Construction began in the mid-2010s. The National Interest reported it began March 2015. The Diplomat reported that "initial work" began in February 2016, with Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard Group receiving a notice to proceed in March 2017. Work was reportedly delayed in June 2017 by EM and steam catapult tests. By November 2017, work had resumed after the PLAN reportedly developing an IEP system to power the EM catapults. The first prefabricated block modules were placed into the dry dock in July 2020, and most of the keel and base hull blocks were in place by early September 2020. The superstructure was installed by July 2021.

Fujian was launched on 17 June 2022. Like previous Chinese carriers, it was named for a province according to PLAN naming regulations. Western media noted that Fujian province was opposite to Taiwan across the Taiwan Strait. Power and mooring tests started in April 2023. Catapult testing started in November 2023. Aircraft mockups were also used.

Fujian started sea trials in May 2024. The first occurred from 1 to 8 May.  From May 2024 a number of sea trials took place, with the fifth sea trial said to have occurred near the Yangtze River estuary in December 2024, according to PLA Navy spokesperson Wu Qian. The Fujian’s trials in 2024 appeared to have had the aim of familiarizing the crew with the vessel’s capabilities and technologies; they did not yet involve aircraft taking off and landing.

See also 

 List of aircraft carriers

References

Citations

Sources 

 

2022 ships
Aircraft carriers of the People's Liberation Army Navy