China’s Fujian Finishes Sea Trials

After starting sea trials earlier in May, the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) third aircraft carrier, the Type 003-class Fujian has returned to port after completing its eight-day maiden voyage.

The Catapult Assisted Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) and Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS)-equipped Fujian returned to Shanghai’s Jiangnan Shipyard after undergoing a range of tests on the subsystems and equipment onboard, such as the propulsion and electrical systems.

According to the PLAN, the Fujian will now continue follow-up tests.

Once operational, the PLAN would have three aircraft carriers in service, allowing at least one carrier for active deployment on a rotational basis while a fourth aircraft carrier is anticipated to be unveiled in the near future with it speculated to be nuclear-powered.-shp/adj/dl (Pix:China MOD/Xinhua)