BEIJING: Chinese state media has released new images of China’s most advanced aircraft carrier yet, the Fujian, showcasing its next-generation launch tracks capable of catapulting a wider range of aircraft from its deck. Unveiled to the public in June 2022, the domestically designed and built Fujian is yet to undergo its first sea trials.
Larger and technologically more advanced than the Shandong, commissioned in 2019, and the Liaoning, acquired second-hand from Ukraine in 1998 and refitted domestically, the Fujian boasts an electromagnetic catapult system with three visible tracks on its deck.
State television, on Tuesday, aired footage of the Fujian being towed by a smaller vessel, highlighting its electromagnetic catapult system. A Fujian officer, as cited by state television, stated, “In the new year, we will seize every minute, work with determination, and strive for combat readiness as soon as possible.”
China’s Fujian Aircraft Carrier Advancements
Before its sea trials, the Fujian has been undergoing tests, including mooring tests. Launch tests for its electromagnetic catapult system commenced in November, according to the state-controlled Chinese newspaper Global Times.
Distinguishing itself from carriers like the Shandong and the Liaoning, the Fujian, apart from Ford-class aircraft carriers, is set to be the only carrier worldwide equipped with the latest Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). China’s version of EMALS is capable of launching a broader range of aircraft, offering improved reliability and energy efficiency, marking a significant advancement in China’s military modernization.
President Xi Jinping has consistently emphasized the need for increased combat readiness and technological progress, particularly leading up to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in 2027.
While Taiwan approaches its January 13 presidential and parliamentary elections, reports indicate China is continuing its routine military activities in the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding area. Chinese fighter jets have occasionally crossed the strait’s median line, a previous unofficial barrier that Beijing now claims not to recognize.
