CNS Fujian, China's Third Aircraft Carrier, Completes Maiden Sea Trial

China's third aircraft carrier, CNS Fujian, recently finished its first voyage at sea and has now arrived back at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai. During the eight-day sea trial, engineers and Navy sailors onboard the Fujian conducted tests on the carrier's propulsion and electric power systems, successfully achieving their objectives. The vessel is now docked at China State Shipbuilding Corp's shipyard where further hardware and software assessments are scheduled to be carried out according to the construction plan outlined by the Navy.

The CNS Fujian, unveiled in June 2022 in Shanghai, is a significant piece of military hardware for China and will be an impressive addition to its naval capabilities upon commissioning. Touted to be the largest and most powerful warship ever built by an Asian nation and the biggest non-US aircraft carrier globally, the Fujian is set to displace over 80,000 metric tons of water. Unlike its predecessors, the ship will be equipped with an electromagnetic catapult for launching fixed-wing aircraft, enhancing its combat capabilities significantly.

China currently operates two other aircraft carriers, CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong, each with a standard displacement of around 50,000 tons and conventional propulsion systems. In comparison, the CNS Fujian is notably larger, heavier, and possesses a larger flight deck with a smaller superstructure. The Liaoning underwent a series of ten sea trials before entering service, while the Shandong underwent nine sea trials before being commissioned, showcasing the extensive testing processes involved in bringing these massive carriers into operational status.