Chinese Aircraft Carrier Fujian Starts First Sea Trial

[Beijingwalker]

Chinese Aircraft Carrier Fujian Starts First Sea Trial​

First sea trial for Chinese supercarrier comes after over six years of construction and fitting out work in Jiangnan. Fujian may enter service with the Chinese Navy by 2026.​

Alex Luck 29 Apr 2024

China’s third aircraft carrier Fujian has left Shanghai for her first sea trial today, April 29, 2024. Fujian vacated her moorings at Jiangnan on Changxing Island in the Yangtze River Delta under her own power, as evidenced from social media imagery. The first sea trial is a significant milestone on getting China’s first supercarrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults ready for service. The carrier moved out of berth assisted by several tugboats as covered in moving footage circulated on Chinese social media and on “X”, formerly Twitter.

Aircraft Carrier Fujian pulling out of her berth at Jiangnan, aided by tugboats. Image taken as still from footage shared via “X”.

Imagery of Fujian previously showed the carrier testing her engines around April 21. The observation created some anticipation that the ship would sail out on the occasion of the anniversary for the Chinese Navy on April 23. That day historically marks the inception of the East China Military Region Navy, typically shortened to “East China Navy”, as announced by Zhang Aiping in April 1949 during the Chinese Civil War. The Central Military Commission in 1989 officially designated the date and event to mark the founding of PLAN. That date however went by with Fujian remaining at berth, perhaps illustrating that PLAN is more concerned with sticking to technical schedules over symbolic gestures.

Fujian at her launch on June 17, 2022. The three construction shelters onboard cover the electromagnetic catapults. Image Chinese state media.

The journey so far
The sea trial represents the most recent milestone in a development now spanning six years since the first sighting of a “superblock” hull module for the future aircraft carrier at Jiangnan back around July 2018. The first construction phase for Fujian consisted of assembling superblocks into larger hull segments at a bespoke new facility on Changxing Island, for a duration of two years. Around May 2020 the builder moved these segments into a proper drydock for final assembly of the carrier itself. Construction continued at brisk pace for another two years until the carrier launched on June 17, 2022, amidst much fanfare and formal reports providing additional detail via Chinese state media.

Jiangnan module assembly facility undertaking the early construction of aircraft carrier Fujian, before the yard moved super-modules into drydock for final assembly. Image via Chinese social media.

The roughly two year intervals from module construction to drydock final assembly to the first sea trial now are notable, though likely a coincidence more than a serious intention. It is worth recalling also that construction of the ship, like other Chinese naval building programs was likely affected to some extend by the COVID pandemic, which had a dramatic impact on the Chinese economy and society.

About Aircraft Carrier Fujian
Aircraft carrier Fujian takes her name from the eponymous Chinese province in southeast China. The territory, home to over 40 million people, is located directly opposite Taiwan, a fact that inevitably carries a political message given Beijings relationship to the island country the Communist Party considers a renegade province and firmly claims as part of the Chinese nation. The carrier also uses hull number 18, following from the two previous aircraft carriers Liaoning (16) and Shandong (17).

Fujian in a touched up overhead image, recent date. Note flight deck markings applied and several aircraft mockups including KJ-600 visible on deck. Image via Chinese social media.

Chinese official sources are traditionally opaque on technical details of new military developments. The People’s Daily, the official state media of the Central Committee, at the time of launch specified the size of Fujian as exceeding 80,000 tons. The report also confirmed that the carrier uses electromagnetic catapults and arrestor gear, a detail already widely assumed to be the case by the PLAN watching community. The Global Times tabloid furthermore speculated that the carrier would see service with PLAN within two to three years. This schedule however appears optimistic given the unprecedented nature of this development.
Notional specifications of Fujian

Multiple other specifications and technical characteristics are evident from imagery. Basic measurements for the hull are a length of approximately 316 metres, a beam across the flight deck of 72 metres average and 76 metres at the widest point. Hull beam at waterline level is around 39 metres. The carrier features two aircraft elevators, three catapults and four arrestor wires. Self defence armament consists of multiple launchers for the HQ-10 short range surface to air missile system and additionally several H/PJ-11 30 mm autocannons featuring a distinct new rectangular panel radar for target acquisition.

 

[Beijingwalker]

Fujian at Jiangnan in a recent image. Note fitted CIWS and the distinct panels on island housing radar and other sensors. Image via Chinese social media.
The island is located between the elevators, housing the smokestack and a multi-level bridge for navigation, flight control and further operational staffing.

Notably the island in contrast to the two Kuznetsov-type carriers does not feature a rearward facing flight control space or any windows at the stern aspect at all. The tower also houses new large radar arrays of the AESA-type in addition to further communications and ESM-gear, several hidden behind smaller flat panels on the superstructure.

The propulsion of Fujian continues to use a steam turbine-setup somewhat comparable to preceding Chinese aircraft carriers. Early speculation on nuclear propulsion for the ship has not borne out to be accurate.

J-35 prototype flying overhead. Image via Chinese social media.

Air group to include two fighter types and fixed wing AEWC
The air group for this new carrier remains somewhat notional. A few aspects appear certain, based on various aircraft types currently undergoing development and testing. Additionally the sighting of several mockups onboard Fujian provides further clues. For her primary fighter group the carrier will likely use the J-15B, a Flanker-family variant designed for catapult assisted launch. In addition the Fujian will also embark the next generation fighter designated J-35. Both types have already seen their mockups moved around on the flightdeck of the carrier. Conceivably the J-15D electronic warfare variant will also see use, based on recent imagery.

The new KJ-600 fixed wing AEWC-aircraft is destined to become an important asset for the carrier. The type will fulfill a role similar to the E-2 Hawkeye on American carriers and French carrier Charles de Gaulle. An interesting recent addition among mockups appearing at Jiangnan is the JL-10 advanced trainer. Speculation about the JL-10 adding a carrier-capable variant circulated among the PLA-watching community for several years. Observations included sightings of mockups, models and prototypes.

Z-20F ASW helicopter. One Z-20J utility helicopter is also visible rear left. The Z-20 is based on the Sikorsky S-70C. China acquired 24 airframes before the country became subject to Western embargoes. Image source Chinese social media.

In terms of helicopters Fujian will likely receive similar types or variants of models already operational on Liaoning and Shandong. This includes the Z-8/18 family of utility and ASW-helicopters. Fujian will likely also add both utility and ASW-variants of the newer Z-20 medium helicopter. Until Z-20 arrives in numbers, the new carrier may also use the lighter Z-9, similar to Liaoning and Shandong. The total number of aircraft Fujian is capable of carrying remains unknown. Any figures given in discussions are therefore highly speculative.

What’s next?
Fujian will now likely undergo a lengthy period of trials and testing that may last for well over a year. The preceding carrier Shandong commissioned in December 2019, following her first sea trial in May 2018. Owing to more complex requirements for a catapult-equipped supercarrier, this period is likely going to be longer for Fujian. While the carrier can conceivably join service with PLAN in 2025, the required schedule likely remains too ambitious.

Finally, there is understandably intense speculation in the PLA-interested community regarding future Chinese aircraft carriers. As of April 2024 no visual sighting in publicly available imagery supports the notion of further carriers undergoing advanced assembly.

Nevertheless, considering timescales involving such an effort we can reasonably assume a next generation effort is underway. Such a step may include a repeat build of the Fujian-design. Alternatively a new design, notionally dubbed Type 004, may see construction next. With Jiangnan in Shanghai and Dalian in the eponymous city in Liaoning Province Beijing operates two shipyards capable of constructing large aircraft carriers. Which yard is going to construct the next hull in line therefore remains to be seen.

Aircraft Carrier Fujian Starts First Sea Trial

Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian starts first sea trial. Ship has left Shanghai coinciding with anniversary of the Chinese Navy.

www.navalnews.com

 

[guangdongt]

Fujian will definitely face a lot of tests. It carries a variety of aircraft, a bunch of new technologies, and every project is exciting. This is the truly modern aircraft carrier that we have been dreaming of for many years

 

[Beijingwalker]

China’s Fujian aircraft carrier moves for first powered sea trial​

 

[ety]

Finally.....after a long wait.

 

[Dalit]

Well done Chinese friends. Well done.

 

[Hendarto]

It is a historic moment I thought it took longer than usual 1 year and 8 months after the ship's launch to fit out But it is understandable as there is more new technology on board this ships. Here is the front view of the ship. Finally, the navy has full fledge carrier

 

[Beijingwalker]

China's newest aircraft carrier begins first sea trials​

May 1, 2024
Japantimes

China’s Fujian aircraft carrier — the country’s third and most advanced — began its maiden sea trials on Wednesday, state-run media reported, amid a growing naval rivalry with the United States.

The Fujian, which is equipped with next-generation launch tracks that can catapult a wider range of aircraft from its deck, set sail from the Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard at around 8 a.m., the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

“The sea trials will primarily test the reliability and stability of the aircraft carrier's propulsion and electrical systems,” Xinhua reported, adding that, since its June 2022 launch, the Fujian “has completed its mooring trials, outfitting work and equipment adjustments,” and “met the technical requirements” for conducting the trials.

China has characterized the Fujian as “one of the most important” pieces of military hardware it is working on and will take Beijing closer to its goal of projecting its military far beyond its shores as leader Xi Jinping aims to build a “world-class military” by the middle of the century.

The Fujian is bigger and more technologically advanced than its first two carriers, the Shandong, commissioned in 2019, and the Liaoning, which China purchased from Ukraine in 1998 and refurbished domestically.

Its development has also highlighted China’s growing technological prowess, employing its version of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, which accelerates aircraft more smoothly than steam-powered catapult systems, putting less stress on airframes.

The Chinese system — which experts say will be more energy-efficient and less susceptible to wear and tear — will also allow for more kinds of aircraft to be launched from its deck.

Once commissioned, it will be the world’s only other type of aircraft carrier other than the U.S. Navy’s Ford-class nuclear-powered carriers equipped with the technology.

According to Chinese state-run media, the gigantic vessel will have a displacement of more than 80,000 metric tons once it is completed, making it “the largest and mightiest warship any Asian nation has ever built, as well as the world's biggest non-American aircraft carrier.”

The Shandong and Liaoning have displacements of around 66,000 metric tons and 60,000 metric tons, respectively, and use the ski jump method for launching fixed-wing aircraft, according to an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.

The Liaoning underwent 10 sea trials before going into service, while the Shandong conducted nine before its formal commissioning.

China's newest aircraft carrier begins first sea trials

Experts say the Fujian aircraft carrier — Beijing's most advanced yet — will take it closer to its goal of projecting its military far beyond its shores.

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[Hendarto]

There is already a thread for Fujian why are you making new Threads?

 

[Beijingwalker]

There is already a thread for Fujian why are you making new Threads?

It's a dedicated Fujian carrier sea trial, such a big milestone event deserves a thread of its own.

 

[Beijingwalker]

China’s Next-Generation Aircraft Carrier ‘Fujian’ Begins Sea Trials: A Leap Forward In Naval Power​

BYJHUMPA LAHIRI

China’s Cutting-Edge Aircraft Carrier ‘Fujian’ Sets Sail for Sea Trials

China’s ambitious naval expansion takes another leap forward as its third indigenous aircraft carrier, the Fujian, embarks on its maiden sea trials. The vessel, boasting advanced technology and formidable capabilities, departed from Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone for China’s maritime ambitions amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.

The primary objective of the sea trials is to evaluate the reliability and stability of the Fujian’s propulsion and electrical systems. Since its launch in June 2022, the ship has undergone rigorous testing, including mooring trials, outfitting, and equipment adjustments, meeting all technical requirements necessary for sea trials.

As part of the trial process, China has imposed maritime traffic controls around the Yangtze River mouth, where the Jiangnan shipyard is located, to facilitate military activities. These controls are scheduled to remain in effect until May 9, ensuring the safety and security of the trial operations.

China’s strategic vision includes the deployment of five to six aircraft carriers by 2035, aimed at reinforcing its presence in key regions such as the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and the Indian Ocean. The Fujian’s deployment signifies Beijing’s assertiveness in asserting its territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea, where tensions with neighboring countries, including the Philippines, remain high.

Currently, the Chinese navy is engaged in a standoff with US-backed Philippine naval forces in the South China Sea over territorial disputes, particularly at the Second Thomas Shoal. China’s firm stance on its claims in the region underscores the strategic importance it places on maritime dominance.

Named after the province of Fujian, which borders the Taiwan Strait, the aircraft carrier represents China’s commitment to bolstering its naval capabilities. Unlike its predecessors, Liaoning and Shandong, the Fujian is the first carrier fully developed and constructed domestically, featuring cutting-edge technology such as an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), akin to that of the American USS Gerald R. Ford.

With a displacement of over 80,000 tonnes, the Fujian surpasses its predecessors in size and capability. Its flat-top flight deck distinguishes it from China’s other carriers, which utilize ski-jump take-off ramps. Equipped with the indigenous J-15 aircraft, the Fujian promises enhanced operational efficiency and combat readiness.

China’s investment in naval modernization reflects a strategic shift towards expanding its global influence. The country’s military doctrine, revised in 2013, prioritizes the development of the navy while reducing the number of army troops. This shift underscores China’s intent to project power far beyond its shores, with a focus on maritime dominance.

The modernization efforts encompass not only aircraft carriers but also submarines, frigates, and assault ships, showcasing China’s commitment to becoming a dominant naval force. Additionally, China’s naval expansion extends beyond its borders, with initiatives to assist other countries, such as Pakistan, in modernizing their naval fleets through the provision of advanced frigates and submarines.

As the Fujian embarks on its sea trials, China reaffirms its status as a formidable maritime power, poised to shape the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific region for years to come.

China's Next-Generation Aircraft Carrier 'Fujian' Begins Sea Trials: A Leap Forward in Naval Power - R9 News

China’s Cutting-Edge Aircraft Carrier ‘Fujian’ Sets Sail for Sea Trials China’s ambitious naval expansion takes another leap forward as its third indigenous aircraft carrier, the Fujian, embarks on its maiden sea trials. The vessel, boasting advanced technology and formidable capabilities...

r9news.in

 

[Beijingwalker]

China's Aircraft Carrier Fujian Sets out for Maiden Sea Trials​

 

[ety]

 

[Beijingwalker]

China’s super carrier Fujian is almost ready to challenge the mighty US Navy for top spot​

France and Britain will soon be outmatched as the dragon flexes its muscles
TOM SHARPE1 May 2024 • 7:12am

Aircraft carrier Fujian of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) manoeuvres in harbour on an undisclosed date. The ship will probably outmatch all other carriers except US Navy ones CREDIT: Screenshot from China Central Television

It appears that the Fujian, China’s newest, biggest and most powerful aircraft carrier, is about to go to sea. With events in the gold market suggesting that Beijing may be preparing for war, just what does the advent of the Fujian on the world’s oceans mean for the balance of naval power?

Aircraft carriers are a divisive subject. To some they are the backbone of a blue water navy and provide political and scalable options in abundance, to others they are a vulnerable and expensive white elephant. Most navalists and politicians sit in the former camp, those who don’t think we need a navy beyond the English Channel and those who think the Navy is taking all their money in the latter.

Whether you are for or against, one thing is undeniable. Lots of countries who wish to operate beyond their own coastline are either in the carrier game or getting into it. The list of carrier nations today includes the US (with 11), China (2+1), Britain (2), India (2), Japan (2), Italy (2), Russia (1), France (1), Thailand (1), Spain (1), Turkey (1) and South Korea (2 planned). All these nations believe that carriers have a utility that is worth their cost.

As ever when it comes to warships, hull numbers only give part of the picture. In the list above we have the USS Gerald R Ford, America’s newest and biggest ever carrier, at one end of the scale – what most people would regard as the ultimate example of the type. At the other end there are ships such as the Thai Navy’s HTMS Chakri Naruebet which is tiny by comparison and will only ever carry helicopters.

Arguing over the difference between an aircraft carrier and a helicopter carrier doesn’t advance this debate much. Suffice it to say, there are a few on this list that you could strike off and a few you could add, such as the Australian Canberra class and the nine US Navy big-deck amphibious assault ships – not included above – that most countries would be delighted to call their carriers.

Naming conventions are never universally agreed. As a junior officer discussing the then in commission HMS Ark Royal, I was told in no uncertain terms that she was NOT an aircraft carrier, but instead a ‘through-deck cruiser’. The Royal Navy had been forbidden to have any aircraft carriers in the pre-Falklands era and had been compelled to adopt this term in order to work around its political supervision.

It’s not just the hulls themselves that determine carrier capability, you need layers in place around them. Working from out to in, the perfect carrier can both hoover in and contribute to an intelligence network that ensures you are not sailing blind. In particular it needs to have long-range surveillance radar aircraft to monitor the seas and skies for hundreds of miles around.

It needs fighter jets, refuelling and jamming aircraft able to provide a 24/7 bubble around the ship. It also needs escort warships to protect it from threats below, on and above the water and ideally there will be a nuclear-powered attack submarine in the mix. The carrier group needs logistic support ships with fuel, munitions and other supplies to ensure operations can be sustained for months at sea without host nation support – in some ways this is the defining advantage of a carrier over air force bases.

The fighter jets (and uncrewed systems) need to have a mix of capabilities and be launched in such a way that ‘time on task’ and ‘weapons carried’ can both be optimised. Finally, the ship herself will have its own close-in weapons systems.

In simple terms, the more of this list you can tick off, the better your carrier capability and the more options you have to use it across a range of scenarios, from deterrence to surveillance to humanitarian aid to strike.

In this respect, for the last 30 years or so, there have been two carrier divisions; the US Navy and everyone else. The French Navy’s Charles de Gaulle comes as close as any carrier in the world to matching an American one but there is only one of her so she is routinely not available when needed. She also costs a fortune and needs a lot of people. French politicians love her, the French Navy hates her.

The Royal Navy’s two carriers do some of it well but have blanks against enough of ‘the list’ not to be considered A-team. I’m a fan, but if you spend just over three billion pounds per ship (research and build) – with a big chunk of that accounted for by deliberately slowing the build down – it’s not reasonable to compare them to the Ford class costing 17.3 billion dollars each, although it’s surprising how many try. Less understandable, however, was the politicking and inter-service bickering during the carriers’ gestation resulting in an endless stream of compromise as elements of ‘the list’ were struck off due to misunderstanding, skewed recommendations, lack of money or just to ensure they were built at all.

The question for today, though, is can the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) cross the gaping divide and join the US Navy in top-tier carrier operations with all the implications that would have for the security picture in the Indo-Pacific and beyond?

Two Chinese carriers are already operational. The Liaoning is a retired Soviet Kuznetsov-class carrier transferred to the PLAN in 2012 and has been in limited use ever since. Hull 2, the Shandong, was commissioned in 2019 and built solely in China. Based on the Kuznetsov, Shandong has been used on increasingly complex operations in recent years although rarely straying too far from the South China Sea.

And now we have the third carrier, the Fujian. Based on harbour movements and navigational warnings over the last few days, she is likely to start sea trials as early as tomorrow. Fujian is a step up again. At 300m long and displacing 80,000 tons she is not quite USS Ford size (337m and over 100,000 tons) although visually it is clear where the inspiration came from.

The critical step up that – if it works – will make Fujian a first-division carrier is that she has catapults. Only US carriers and the Charles de Gaulle have these today. Catapults mean that a ship can launch her jets fully armed and fuelled for combat. The Shandong and Liaoning’s planes must get airborne under their own power using a ski-jump ramp, meaning that they can’t carry as much fuel and weaponry as they normally would. Britain and other US allies use the F-35B jump jet: this is likewise limited on fuel and weapons due to the weight and bulk of its vertical thrust equipment.

Interestingly, the Fujian has electromagnetic catapults like the USS Ford (although Ford has four catapults vs the Fujian’s three and can therefore generate a higher sortie rate).

Amazingly, electric cats were first tested way back in 1946 (called the ‘Electropult’) but have only been put into service so far by the US Navy in the last five years, at vast expense and with teething troubles which caused delays in the Ford class being declared operational. China has managed construction, to launch, to trials in this first-of-class ship in little over eight years. Fujian is a long way from being declared operational – those trials come next – but it is still impressive.

The one thing the Chinese ship doesn’t have is nuclear propulsion. I’m not so sure this is important, however. Most of the gains in speed and endurance are offset by needing to take on aviation fuel periodically anyway, and the need not to leave your tankers and escorts behind.

So you can do unlimited sprints but no one around you can. Add to this the design and build costs and the requirement to train and run a new engineering enterprise within your surface fleet and you can see why the PLAN has left this out…for now. Hull 4 is being promised – it will be interesting to see what powers that.

Once Fujian is declared fully operational the PLAN will certainly have enough logistics ships, escorts, submarines and jets to conduct global operations with her. Jetties built to suit her in Djibouti and Cambodia over the last couple of years suggest that this will happen. But even if you have all the items on ‘the list’ you still have to be able to operate them well, far from home and without support.

The Royal Navy managed a global carrier deployment in 2021 but had some help from allies and dug deep into many a support service to do so – it’s a good thing HMS Queen Elizabeth didn’t have to fight on that occasion. The Royal Navy’s next carrier excursion in 2025 will be much better, but once again, it is only the USN that can do this comprehensively without assistance. For now.

So how do the various carriers stack up?
You have to say that a current US carrier group would have a decided edge over a future, fully operational Fujian. The American ship would have more aircraft and probably somewhat better ones, though neither side would have a fully fifth-generation air group. There would be various things in the escort group that China doesn’t yet have, too: in particular the US nuclear submarine would be a generation ahead of its Chinese opponent in acoustic stealth.

In second place would come the Fujian and her group. She’s bigger than the Charles De Gaulle and would have at least some fifth-generation jets: France has none of these. A fully worked up and working Fujian would mean that China had taken a big step towards joining the US in the first division.

I’d not especially scientifically put the Charles De Gaulle and a British carrier in joint third place. The French ship has catapults, but on the other hand the British F-35B is fifth-generation, unlike France’s Rafale M carrier fighter. The two nations are fairly evenly matched in most other naval attributes, though the British side would probably be a bit stronger in anti-submarine warfare thanks to Merlin Mk 2 helicopters.

The rest of the pack would be led by those nations able to fly jets from their ships rather than just helicopters: Japan, Italy, Russia and India for instance.

At the moment, then, there are two tiers of carrier operators: the US Navy and everyone else. Realistically, China is the only country with both the money and ambition to close this gap. If sea trials on the Fujian do start imminently, then that is a decent step down this road and given how fast they have got here from a near standing start, one to watch closely.

Chinese supercarrier Fujian is about to enter sea trials. Only one nation can beat her

France and Britain will soon be outmatched as the dragon flexes its muscles

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[Beijingwalker]