What does China's third aircraft carrier's sea trials mean for India
China's third aircraft carrier, Fujian, embarked on its maiden trials last week, marking a significant moment in China's naval expansion efforts aimed at challenging the US's global presence. Named after the Fujian province, the carrier is the largest and most advanced Chinese aircraft carrier ever built.
Testing Reliability and Stability
The Fujian carrier set sail from Shanghai's Jiangnan Shipyard, with the trials primarily focused on testing the reliability and stability of its propulsion and electrical systems, as reported by state news agency Xinhua.
The trials are expected to last almost two years, with the carrier slated for induction into the fleet in another five years. China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has been described as the «largest navy» in the world, surpassing the US with over 370 battleships, according to the US Department of Defense.
More Heavy, More Advanced Weighing in at 79,000 tons, the Fujian carrier is expected to carry the most potent fighter jet launch system, the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). Currently, the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, also uses the EMALS launch system. In contrast, the other Chinese aircraft carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, use the ski-jump system.
China operates only the Chengdu J-15, known as the 'Flying Shark', for its carrier-based operations. This fourth-generation fighter jet is deployed on its STOBAR carriers. However, the US has critiqued its range and payload limitations in operations from carriers
