Update: Against initial reporting in this article Fujian currently remains stationary in the Yangtze River Delta off her original berth. The rationale for this remains speculative and the beginning of a proper trial therefore is to be confirmed. This article will be updated with further information as it becomes available.

Fujian today, April 29, vacated her moorings at Jiangnan on Changxing Island in the Yangtze River Delta under her own power, as evidenced from social media imagery. The anticipated first sea trial represents a significant milestone on getting China’s first supercarrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults ready for service. The carrier moved out of berth assisted by several tugboats as covered in moving footage circulated on Chinese social media and on “X”, formerly Twitter.

Aircraft Carrier Fujian pulling out of her berth at Jiangnan, aided by tugboats. Image taken as still from footage shared via “X”.
Imagery of Fujian previously showed the carrier testing her engines around April 21. The observation created some anticipation that the ship would sail out on the occasion of the anniversary for the Chinese Navy on April 23. That day historically marks the inception of the East China Military Region Navy, typically shortened to “East China Navy”, as announced by Zhang Aiping in April 1949 during the Chinese Civil War. The Central Military Commission in 1989 officially designated the date and event to mark the founding of PLAN. That date however went by with Fujian remaining at berth, perhaps illustrating that PLAN is more concerned with sticking to technical schedules over symbolic gestures.

Fujian at her launch on June 17, 2022. The three construction shelters onboard cover the electromagnetic catapults. Image Chinese state media.
The journey so far

The sea trial represents the most recent milestone in a development now spanning six years since the first sighting of a “superblock” hull module for the future aircraft carrier at Jiangnan back around July 2018. The first construction phase for Fujian consisted of assembling superblocks into larger hull segments at a bespoke new facility on Changxing Island, for a duration of two years. Around May 2020 the builder moved these segments into a proper drydock for final assembly of the carrier itself. Construction continued at brisk pace for another two years until the carrier launched on June 17, 2022, amidst much fanfare and formal reports providing additional detail via Chinese state media.

Jiangnan module assembly facility undertaking the early construction of aircraft carrier Fujian, before the yard moved super-modules into drydock for final assembly. Image via Chinese social media.
The roughly two year intervals from module construction to drydock final assembly to the first sea trial now are notable, though likely a coincidence more than a serious intention. It is worth recalling also that construction of the ship, like other Chinese naval building programs was likely affected to some extend by the COVID pandemic, which had a dramatic impact on the Chinese economy and society.

About Aircraft Carrier Fujian

Aircraft carrier Fujian takes her name from the eponymous Chinese province in southeast China. The territory, home to over 40 million people, is located directly opposite Taiwan, a fact that inevitably carries a political message given Beijings relationship to the island country the Communist Party considers a renegade province and firmly claims as part of the Chinese nation. The carrier also uses hull number 18, following from the two previous aircraft carriers Liaoning (16) and Shandong (17).

Fujian in a touched up overhead image, recent date. Note flight deck markings applied and several aircraft mockups including KJ-600 visible on deck. Image via Chinese social media.
Chinese official sources are traditionally opaque on technical details of new military developments. The People’s Daily, the official state media of the Central Committee, at the time of launch specified the size of Fujian as exceeding 80,000 tons. The report also confirmed that the carrier uses electromagnetic catapults and arrestor gear, a detail already widely assumed to be the case by the PLAN watching community. The Global Times tabloid furthermore speculated that the carrier would see service with PLAN within two to three years. This schedule however appears optimistic given the unprecedented nature of this development.

Notional specifications of Fujian

Multiple other specifications and technical characteristics are evident from imagery. Basic measurements for the hull are a length of approximately 316 metres, a beam across the flight deck of 72 metres average and 76 metres at the widest point. Hull beam at waterline level is around 39 metres. The carrier features two aircraft elevators, three catapults and four arrestor wires. Self defence armament consists of multiple launchers for the HQ-10 short range surface to air missile system and additionally several H/PJ-11 30 mm autocannons featuring a distinct new rectangular panel radar for target acquisition.

Fujian at Jiangnan in a recent image. Note fitted CIWS and the distinct panels on island housing radar and other sensors. Image via Chinese social media.
The island is located between the elevators, housing the smokestack and a multi-level bridge for navigation, flight control and further operational staffing. Notably the island in contrast to the two Kuznetsov-type carriers does not feature a rearward facing flight control space or any windows at the stern aspect at all. The tower also houses new large radar arrays of the AESA-type in addition to further communications and ESM-gear, several hidden behind smaller flat panels on the superstructure.

The propulsion of Fujian continues to use a steam turbine-setup somewhat comparable to preceding Chinese aircraft carriers. Early speculation on nuclear propulsion for the ship has not borne out to be accurate.

J-35 prototype flying overhead. Image via Chinese social media.
Air group to include two fighter types and fixed wing AEWC

The air group for this new carrier remains somewhat notional. A few aspects appear certain, based on various aircraft types currently undergoing development and testing. Additionally the sighting of several mockups onboard Fujian provides further clues. For her primary fighter group the carrier will likely use the J-15B, a Flanker-family variant designed for catapult assisted launch. In addition the Fujian will also embark the next generation fighter designated J-35. Both types have already seen their mockups moved around on the flightdeck of the carrier. Conceivably the J-15D electronic warfare variant will also see use, based on recent imagery.

The new KJ-600 fixed wing AEWC-aircraft is destined to become an important asset for the carrier. The type will fulfill a role similar to the E-2 Hawkeye on American carriers and French carrier Charles de Gaulle. An interesting recent addition among mockups appearing at Jiangnan is the JL-10 advanced trainer. Speculation about the JL-10 adding a carrier-capable variant circulated among the PLA-watching community for several years. Observations included sightings of mockups, models and prototypes. In terms of helicopters Fujian will likely receive similar types or variants of models already operational on Liaoning and Shandong. This includes the Z-8/18 family of utility and ASW-helicopters. Fujian will likely also add both utility and ASW-variants of the newer Z-20 medium helicopter. Until Z-20 arrives in numbers, the new carrier may also use the lighter Z-9, similar to Liaoning and Shandong. The total number of aircraft Fujian is capable of carrying remains unknown. Any figures given in discussions are therefore highly speculative.

What’s next?

Fujian will now likely undergo a lengthy period of trials and testing that may last for well over a year. The preceding carrier Shandong commissioned in December 2019, following her first sea trial in May 2018. Owing to more complex requirements for a catapult-equipped supercarrier, this period is likely going to be longer for Fujian. While the carrier can conceivably join service with PLAN in 2025, the required schedule likely remains too ambitious.

Finally, there is understandably intense speculation in the PLA-interested community regarding future Chinese aircraft carriers. As of April 2024 no visual sighting in publicly available imagery supports the notion of further carriers undergoing advanced assembly. Nevertheless, considering timescales involving such an effort we can reasonably assume a next generation effort is underway. Such a step may include a repeat build of the Fujian-design. Alternatively a new design, notionally dubbed Type 004, may see construction next. With Jiangnan in Shanghai and Dalian in the eponymous city in Liaoning Province Beijing operates two shipyards capable of constructing large aircraft carriers. Which yard is going to construct the next hull in line therefore remains to be seen.