China’s third aircraft carrier, named Fujian after the Mainland Chinese province opposite Taiwan, represents a significant advancement in technology compared to the first two carriers of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It is much larger in size and equipped with catapults instead of a ski jump ramp like the Liaoning and Shandong carriers. This new Type 003 carrier will be capable of operating a larger and more capable fleet of aircraft.
With the addition of this third carrier, China’s aircraft carrier fleet will become the second largest in the world, second only to the USA’s eleven active carriers. The arrival of a third carrier also raises questions about China’s future plans for these prestigious vessels. According to Collin Koh, a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, China has expressed intentions to build at least six carriers, possibly even up to eight.
However, Koh also noted that the PLAN is still relatively new to carrier operations compared to the more experienced US Navy. It is likely that China will aim for six carriers until they reach a level of maturity in carrier operations. This number would allow for two carriers to be at sea while the others undergo maintenance or work-up periods.
Fujian was constructed by the government-owned Jiangnan Shipyard, a subsidiary of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), on Changxing Island near Shanghai. Construction began in March 2017, and the assembled blocks were moved to a dry dock in May 2020.
The ship was launched on 17 June 2022, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were likely delays in reaching this milestone. Finally, after almost a year, Fujian embarked on her first voyage earlier this month.
On 29 April, tugboats moved Fujian from her fitting-out basin to a berth in Shanghai’s Yangtze River. Two days later, on 1 May, the ship set sail on her first sea trial. According to the state-run Xinhua news outlet, the primary purpose of these sea trials was to test the reliability and stability of the aircraft carrier’s propulsion and electrical systems.
Xinhua also mentioned that Fujian had already completed mooring trials, outfitting work, and equipment adjustments over the past two years. In November 2023, catapult tests were conducted, which were necessary steps for the vessel to meet the technical requirements for sea trials.
A safety notice issued by the China Maritime Safety Administration revealed the direction and duration of Fujian’s maiden voyage, covering a zone 130km from Shanghai from 1-9 May. The carrier returned to Jiangnan Shipyard on 8 May, concluding her eight-day journey.
During the sea trial, the aircraft carrier tested its propulsion and electrical systems, as well as other equipment, and achieved the expected results, according to state media reports. The next stage will involve follow-up tests according to established plans.
This was just the first of several planned sea trials for Fujian. The first carrier, Liaoning, underwent ten sea trials, while the second one, Shandong, had nine before entering PLAN service. Therefore, it is unlikely that the larger and more advanced Fujian will require fewer sea trials.
One significant technological advancement in China’s third carrier is the installation of an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS). The only other carrier in the world with this technology is the US Navy’s newest Gerald R Ford class.
China’s decision to transition to EMALS technology instead of the old ski jump ramp used by the Soviet style was a significant leap forward. The US Navy, on the other hand, has been relying on steam-powered catapults for their carriers. According to the Pentagon’s latest report on China’s military, EMALS will enhance the carrier’s capabilities to accommodate more fighter aircraft, fixed-wing early warning aircraft, and conduct faster flight operations, ultimately increasing the carrier-based strike aircraft’s range and effectiveness.
The new carrier, Fujian, is expected to have a displacement exceeding 80,000 tonnes and could join the PLAN by 2026. This timeline is based on the 18-month gap between the sea trials and commissioning of China’s second carrier, Shandong. However, Fujian’s commissioning might be delayed beyond this period due to the testing of new equipment and technologies, including the complex catapult system.
Analysts predict that Fujian will be around 316m long, with a flight deck width of 72m, similar in size to the retired Kitty Hawk-class carriers of the US Navy. Powered by a combination of gas, diesel, and integrated electric propulsion, the carrier is expected to require a crew of at least 2,000 sailors and 1,000 aircrews for operation.
Photos taken during the sea trial of the new carrier provided a more detailed look at its layout. The ship features two aircraft elevators on the starboard side, facilitating the movement of aircraft between the hangar bay and flight deck. The EMALS system boasts three catapults, with two located on the bow and one on the waist, along with four arrestor cables for landing aircraft. The flight deck is equipped with five designated helicopter landing spots. Positioned just aft of the ship’s center point on the starboard side is a single pyramidal-shaped island superstructure. This island houses integrated radars, including panels for the main active electronically scanned array radar, and other sensors designed to minimize the ship’s radar cross-section. The ship’s funnel is also integrated into the island structure. Close-in weapon systems and short-range air defense missiles are located near each of the ship’s four corners to provide a final layer of defense. The ship also has areas on both the port and starboard sides that could potentially accommodate acoustic or directed-energy weapons. While the future homeport of the carrier Fujian remains unknown, the presence of a large dry dock in Sanya on Hainan Island suggests a possible assignment to the Southern Theater Navy. The Type 002 carrier Shandong is currently based in Sanya, while Liaoning is stationed at Yuchi Naval Base in Qingdao, Shandong. Liaoning recently completed a yearlong refit that began in February 2023, and Shandong has been at its Sanya homeport since last December. As Fujian prepares to join the fleet, the PLAN faces challenges in training and developing personnel for its carrier operations.
The carriers, escorts, and fleet replenishment ships can be built, but the service is still facing manpower constraints. This includes carrier-borne aviators and technically competent crew, especially in the petty officers corps, who are needed to man the carriers.
The analyst from Singapore pointed out that these factors will hinder a rapid and drastic build-up of the carrier force in the short term. Interestingly, the PLAN started recruiting female pilots last year to expand the pool of potential naval aviation pilots. The first batch of female aviators completed their maiden solo flights on 25 April 2024.
Fujian will have the capability to carry aircraft that the first two Chinese carriers cannot due to limitations in their ski ramp design. With a size that suggests it could carry 50-60 aircraft, the make-up of its air group is still under consideration. Chinese aerospace companies have been working on developing new-type aircraft, including the J-35 stealth fighter, which will complement the J-15 fighter already in use on the first two carriers. The J-15B is a modified version for catapult launches, while the J-15D is an electronic warfare variant similar to the US Navy’s EA-18G Growler.
Another new aircraft that will operate from Fujian is the KJ-600 airborne early warning aircraft, which is still in development. This Chinese version of the E-2 Hawkeye used by the US Navy is crucial for extending the reach of a carrier task force, as its large radar antenna can detect long distances when airborne. The KJ-600 will require a catapult launch and will not be able to operate from a ski jump-equipped carrier due to its weight.
Helicopters such as the Z-20 and Z-8 series are essential for various missions including anti-submarine warfare, transport, utility, and search and rescue. The JL-10 advanced jet trainer could potentially become carrier-borne as well. Admiral Yuan Huazhi mentioned during the National People’s Congress that China’s next Type 004 carrier will be announced soon, with no technical obstacles in its construction. This marks Beijing’s official confirmation of building another carrier, although there have been no images of the vessel under construction yet. The Type 004 carrier is expected to use EMALS technology, raising questions on whether it will be nuclear-powered like American carriers or conventionally powered like previous Chinese carriers. Admiral Yuan emphasized that the purpose of building aircraft carriers is to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, a significant move for a country with a vast coastline.
China’s pursuit of a blue-water navy is evident in its desire to have a fleet that can navigate any ocean and project its military power globally. Once the Type 003 carrier is operational, China will boast the world’s third-largest carrier, surpassing even the UK’s Queen Elizabeth vessels in size. Only the USA’s Nimitz-class and Ford-class supercarriers will be larger, with their impressive tonnage and aircraft capacity. In comparison, India’s carriers, hindered by their ski ramp design, will be overshadowed by China’s advancements. With a fleet of around 370 vessels, China already has the largest navy in the world, while the US Navy is experiencing a decline in hull numbers. By FY2025, the US Navy will fall short of its 355-vessel target, with only 287 ships in its fleet. This number will further decrease to 280 by FY2027. Additionally, the US Navy must divide its forces between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, whereas China can concentrate its fleet. As China continues to enhance its naval capabilities, the long-standing dominance of the US Navy in the Western Pacific is no longer guaranteed. With at least three carriers at its disposal, the PLAN will have the ability to venture even farther and deploy its own aircraft wherever it chooses.
