Image source: topwar.ru
The third Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian has left the Jiangnan Shipbuilding shipyard in Shanghai and put to sea for the first time to undergo sea trials. This is reported by the Chinese news agency Xinhua.
The aircraft carrier left the shipyard on May 1, 2024 at about 8 a.m. local time and put to sea for its first sea trials. According to the publication, during this release, the main attention will be paid to checking the reliability and stability of power plants and electrical systems.
Fujian is the third Chinese aircraft carrier and the first designed from scratch and built by Chinese industry. Unlike the first two aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong, which use a special springboard for aircraft takeoff, Fujian uses electromagnetic launch catapults and aerial finishers. It is built according to the CATOBAR scheme, which is mainly used by the USA and France: the aircraft takes off using a catapult, and lands on the deck using an aerial finisher.
Image source: topwar.ru
The ship was laid down in late 2015 or early 2016, China does not disclose more precise data, and was launched in June 2022. The transfer to the combat strength of the PLA Navy is scheduled for 2025. Presumably, the basis of the combat aircraft wing of this aircraft carrier will be J-15T carrier-based fighters adapted for takeoff using electromagnetic catapults. The basic version of the J-15 aircraft is used on two aircraft carriers available in the Chinese fleet. It is possible that Fujian will also receive the FC-31 (J-31) fighter, such rumors have been circulating for a long time.
