China's newest aircraft carrier, Fujian, completes successful maiden sea trials
Representational Image.
China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, successfully completed its maiden sea trials Wednesday.
It commenced its inaugural sea trials last week, as reported by state-controlled media.
The vessel, boasting next-generation launch tracks capable of catapulting a broader spectrum of aircraft, departed from the Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard last week at approximately 8 am, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.
China has hailed the Fujian as a pivotal component of its military arsenal, bringing Beijing closer to its ambition of projecting its military prowess globally, in line with President Xi Jinping’s vision of establishing a ‘world-class military’ by mid-century.
Compared to its predecessors, the Shandong, commissioned in 2019, and the Liaoning, purchased from Ukraine in 1998 and domestically refurbished, the Fujian is larger and more technologically sophisticated. Its utilisation of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, a Chinese rendition known for smoother acceleration and reduced stress on airframes, underscores China’s technological advancements.