China already has its third aircraft carrier in service; one who, furthermore, is the largest non-nuclear warship in the world. The president of China, Xi Jinpingpresided over the commissioning ceremony of the Fujian this Wednesday in the southern city of Sanyain the province of Hainan. Jinping, together with prominent members of the People’s Liberation Army (EPL) and its government, boarded the aircraft carrier to receive information about the combat systems and the takeoff technology with electromagnetic catapults.
The Fujian, designated with the hull number 18is China’s most advanced aircraft carrier and the first equipped with that aircraft launch system, thus placing the country, along with USA, as the only nations in the world to operate aircraft carriers with electromagnetic catapults. The difference is that China is the first in the world to launch stealth fighters in this waya capability that the United States does not yet have.
The electromagnetic catapults of the new aircraft carrier represent a significant improvement over the ski-jump ramps used on previous Chinese aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong. These catapults can launch aircraft at higher speed, with more load and in less distancewhich dramatically increases the rate of departures and operational flexibility.
The only operational US aircraft carrier equipped with this launch system is the USS Gerald R. Fordalthough there are others of the same Ford class in different stages of construction. However, this system has faced difficulties. Last week, the president donald trump described it as ‘expensive and unstable’, advocating a return to traditional steam catapults.
‘As China’s first flat-decked aircraft carrier, equipped with numerous advanced technologies – including catapults and electromagnetic braking cables and an all-electric propulsion system -, The speed of delivery is truly remarkable.‘, he told the South China Morning Post Song Zhongpingformer PLA instructor and military analyst.
Song highlights that, although the incorporation of the Fujian, whose construction began in 2015it occurred 40 months after launching -more than the 32 of the Shandong, but less than the 44 of the USS Ford-, the pace achieved demonstrates China’s growing industrial efficiency.
The Fujian displaces 80,000 tons and has a length of 320 meterssleeve 76 meters and draft of 11 meters. Operate with stealth fighters J-35Aheavy fighters J-15T and electronic warfare aircraft J-15DTin addition to early warning aircraft KJ-600. Last September, state media reported that the three models had successfully performed catapult-assisted takeoffs and landings during tests aboard the aircraft carrier.
The J-35, developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (AVIC)is China’s first ship-borne stealth fighter and only the second in the world after the F-35C of Lockheed Martin.
Despite technological advances, Song warns that China’s fleet of three aircraft carriers still has limitations. ‘Three aircraft carriers are not enough. China still has certain shortcomings in performance, numbers and combat experience if it wants to confront countries with the capacity to intervene in the Taiwan Strait,’ he says.
The military analyst also notes that the integration of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters on the Fujian will significantly improve the Navy’s operational capabilities, but the ship will require a long training period before reaching full operation. ‘Entering active duty is just the beginning. ‘Fujian will need extensive training and adaptation before reaching its initial operational capability,’ concludes Zhongping.