This was the first navigation test of the “Fujian”, China’s most modern aircraft carrier

2024-05-02 15:05:57

This was the first navigation test of the “Fujian“, China’s most modern aircraft carrier

China’s newest, largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujiantook a big step toward joining the world’s largest naval fleet yesterday when it departed Shanghai for its first sea trials.

Perspective Writing

The naval evaluation is expected to take place in the East China Sea, about 130 kilometers from the Jiangnan Shipyard, where the aircraft carrier has been under construction for more than six years, according to the Administration, international news agencies reported. of Shanghai Maritime Safety.

“The sea trials will mainly test the reliability and stability of the aircraft carrier’s electrical and propulsion systems,” read an announcement by state news agency Xinhua yesterday.

The warship was launched in 2022 and has “completed its mooring tests, outfitting works and equipment adjustments” until the final sea trials, Xinhua said.

According to CNN, with a displacement of 80,000 metric tons, the Fujian dwarfs the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) two active aircraft carriers, the 66,000-ton Shandong and the 60,000-ton Liaoning. Only the United States Navy operates aircraft carriers larger than the Fujian.

“The Fujian sea trials represent an important milestone for the PLAN, marking its entry into the small club of navies with world-class carrier aviation capabilities,” said John Bradford, member of the Council on Foreign Relations and International Affairs. .

In addition, it is noted that the Fujian’s key feature is an electromagnetic catapult system that will allow it to launch larger and heavier aircraft than the Shandong and Liaoning, which use a ski jump-type launch method.

Analysts say Fujian’s ability to launch larger, more heavily armed fighter jets at farther ranges will give the carrier greater combat range than its predecessors in the Chinese fleet, providing the PLAN with so-called ” blue waters.

“These sea tests mark the first major step in China’s development of the ability to project sea-based air power into deep ocean areas,” said Carl Schuster, former US Navy captain and former director of operations at the Joint Defense Center. US Pacific Command Intelligence.

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