New images and a video released by the Chinese state media offer an updated view of the country’s newest aircraft carrier, Fujian.
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Fujian is the first aircraft carrier fully designed and developed in China.
Additionally, Fujian is expected to be the first aircraft carrier of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to launch aircraft using a catapult, rather than the traditional “ski jump” method.
The video, released by the state television network CCTV, showcases Fujian, also known as Type 003, undergoing a recent mooring test. This test is crucial as it assesses the ship’s primary propulsion machinery while still docked. These visuals bolster the notion that Fujian is swiftly approaching sea trials, a crucial stage before becoming operational.
Launched in June 2022, Fujian adopts a CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) configuration and is in the final stages of installation at the Changxing Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai.
An intriguing detail revealed in the video is the presence of a model of the Shenyang J-15 fighter jet at the rear of the command cabin. While the exact composition of its air wing is still uncertain, it’s likely that the catapult-launched variant of the J-15, the J-15T, will play a key role on the aircraft carrier. This fighter model is already in service, operating on the other two PLAN carriers, the Type 001 Liaoning and Type 002 Shandong, both using the STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) system.
Shenyang J-15
The images of Fujian and the J-15 fighter jets in the first and second launch positions on the Liaoning underscore the continuous growth of Chinese naval capability. With Fujian nearing completion, the PLAN is poised to take a significant leap in technology and maritime force projection capability.
Photos and videos: Chinese State Media
