China's third aircraft carrier, the CNS Fujian, is towed out of its dry dock at China State Shipbuilding Corp's Jiangnan Shipyard Group in Shanghai at a launch ceremony on June 17, 2022. - Xinhua
BEIJING (China Daily/Asia News Network): The CNS Fujian, China's third aircraft carrier, will undergo trials at sea this year, according to Senior Captain Qian Shumin, executive officer of the vessel.
Qian said in a news programme broadcast on Monday (Jan 3) on China Central Television that the trials will contribute to the realisation of the centenary goals of the People's Liberation Army.
He did not provide details on the new carrier's schedule.
The Fujian was unveiled on June 17 in Shanghai as it was towed out of its dry dock at the China State Shipbuilding Corp's Jiangnan Shipyard. The carrier is now in the final stages of construction at the shipyard.
Upon its completion, the gigantic vessel will displace more than 80,000 metric tonNEs of water. It will be the largest and mightiest warship any Asian nation has ever built, as well as one of the world's biggest.
Currently, the PLA Navy operates two carriers — the CNS Liaoning and the CNS Shandong. Both have a standard displacement of around 50,000 tonnes and a conventional propulsion system, and they use a ski jump method for launching fixed-wing aircraft.
Compared with its two predecessors, the Fujian is much bigger and heavier, and has a larger flight deck and smaller superstructure.
The Liaoning underwent 10 sea trials before going into service, and the Shandong conducted nine before its commissioning.
