Sea trials of China's "Fujian"

China proudly claims that its new aircraft carrier is the largest conventionally powered warship in the world

On 23 June, a noteworthy message from the "China Morning Post" arrived in the mailbox: China claims the title of having the largest conventional aircraft carrier design in the world and immediately published a few references to the "Fujian".

Ceremonial launch of the Chinese aircraft carrier "Fujian". Photo: State media

The state broadcaster focussed in particular on the electromagnetic catapult. Something had been achieved on a conventionally powered ship that was thought to be impossible. The Chinese emphasised that this was unique. Well, the US Navy can do this with the Ford class, but this is known to be nuclear-powered and can therefore generate sufficient electricity. The "Fujian" is China's third aircraft carrier and the first to be built to a domestic design. The 80,000-tonne displacement ship was launched in June 2022. The maiden voyage lasted eight days and is said to have been a success. There is no question of it being commissioned or ready for deployment yet, but the report did not claim this. It is estimated that it will be another four years before the aircraft carrier is ready for deployment.

China has timed the sea trials well, as the US Navy aircraft carrier "Theodore Roosevelt" has just arrived in South Korea to conduct joint exercises with South Korea and Japan. At the same time, RIMPAC is imminent. The PLAN obviously wanted to send out some kind of signal.

Chinese aircraft carrier "Fujian" on test runs. Photo: State media

Is anything else known? No, there are only approximate details of what the design is intended to achieve. There are no official performance data on armament or the number of aircraft.