Chinese Navy Commissioned New Giant – the Aircraft Carrier Fujian

China has officially commissioned the third aircraft carrier of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, the Fujian.

The ceremony took place on November 5 at the Sanya Naval Port on Hainan Island. The event was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Fujian became the first Chinese aircraft carrier to be equipped with an electromagnetic catapult for launching aircraft. This technology can significantly improve the efficiency of deck aviation.

The ship was designed and built in China, which underscores the growing capabilities of the national shipbuilding and defense industry.

The aircraft carrier became the third in the Chinese fleet after the Liaoning and Shandong, which were created on the basis of Soviet designs.

The construction of the Fujian was completed at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai. On June 17, 2022, the ship was solemnly launched.

After the completion stage and a series of sea trials, the aircraft carrier received the board number 18 and officially joined the Chinese fleet.

The ship’s hull is over 300 meters long, 40 meters wide, and its displacement is estimated at more than 85,000 tons.

The Fujian (Type 003) is equipped with a turbo-electric power plant and three electromagnetic catapults that provide faster takeoff of aircraft and increase their combat effectiveness.

The ship is named after the coastal province of Fujian, located opposite Taiwan.

Earlier, the aircraft carrier tested the takeoffs and landings of the J-15T deck fighter, the latest J-35 stealth fighter, and the KJ-600 long-range radar detection aircraft.

The J-35, China’s newest fifth-generation fighter jet, is the PLA Navy’s most ambitious development in the field of stealthy multi-role aircraft. It is designed to counter the U.S. F-35C in a very timely manner.