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Aircraft carrier Fujian (18)

Aircraft carrier Fujian (18) 0Aircraft carrier Fujian (18) 1

Classification

Ship class:
Fujian-class aircraft carrier (Type 003)
Type:
Fleet carrier

Basic information

Namesake:
Fujian province
Operator:
People's Liberation Army Navy (Chinese Navy)People's Liberation Army Navy (Chinese Navy)
Country of build:
Builder:
Jiangnan Shipyard
Launched:
Commissioned (service):
Status:
Active

Ship measurements

Displacement:
71,875 t
Length:
316 m
Beam:
76 m
Draft:
11 m

Machine

Propulsion:
  • Conventional with integrated electric propulsion

Combat assets

Aircraft:
  • 50+ aircraft:
  • Fixed-wing:
  • Shenyang J-35 carrier-based stealth multirole fighter
  • Shenyang J-15T/DT carrier-based multirole fighter
  • Xi'an KJ-600 carrier-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) and cargo aircraft
  • Helicopters:
  • Harbin Z-20 family helicopters
  • Aviation facilities:
  • Hangar deck
  • Electromagnetic catapults

Fujian (18) or the Type 003 aircraft carrier is a second-generation Chinese aircraft carrier under outfitting for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China. It is named after Fujian province situated west of the 110-mile-wide Taiwan Strait. Launched on June 17, 2022, Fujian is China’s first aircraft carrier with an fully indigenous design, featuring a CATOBAR system and electromagnetic catapults.

The Type 003 class was originally unofficially called Type 002 when Shandong, China's then-incomplete second carrier, was believed to be designated Type 001A. Shandong's official designation, Type 002, was revealed during commissioning. Observers hence believed the third carrier will be Type 003.

The Type 003 is expected to use integrated electric propulsion (IEP) and electromagnetic catapults, whereas preceding Chinese carriers were conventionally powered and launched aircraft with ski jumps.

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