The Fujian aircraft carrier of the Chinese Navy began its fifth sea trial

The aircraft carrier Fujian (CV-18) of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has set course to begin its fifth sea trial, which will take place in the coming weeks in an undisclosed area. The information and images were shared thanks to open source intelligence (OSINT) enthusiasts.

In recent hours, a series of photos have emerged that netizens say show the 80,000-ton third aircraft carrier of the Chinese Navy departing from a port near the city of Shanghai, confirming its departure from the Jiangnan shipyard.

On this occasion, several scale models of a J-35 fighter and a carrier-based KJ-600 early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft were identified on the flight deck, hinting at the units that will form part of the future Carrier Air Wing. In addition, given the recent attempts, some Internet users believe that this time Fujian will perform take-off and landing tests in the coming days.

Unlike Liaoning (CV-16) and Shandong (CV-17), the predecessor aircraft carriers, which have a STOBAR configuration assisted by a Sky-Jump ramp, Fujian is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system for aircraft launch and recovery, being a CATOBAR configuration. This capability will enable Fujian in the future to have a powerful Carrier Air Wing composed of the new version of the J-15T carrier-based fighters, as well as the observed J-35 and KJ-600.

In late September, the aircraft carrier completed its fourth sea trial. On that occasion, models of some of the aircraft that will form part of the future Carrier Air Wing were already observed. In addition, it was speculated that operations with these units were practiced on the flight deck and in the ship’s internal hangars.

It is worth noting that during that sea trial, videos and photos of cargo launch tests with Fujian’s electromagnetic catapults surfaced for the first time. These tests were reportedly carried out in port over the past year.

It is still unclear how many sea trials or tests are left for the CV-18, but what is certain is that Fujian is getting closer to entering service, an event planned for late 2025 or 2026. With this, the Chinese Navy will have a total of three aircraft carriers to operate alternately in the Pacific and Asia regions.

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