The People’s Liberation Army Navy’s newly commissioned aircraft carrier CNS Fujian (18) recently conducted its first at-sea training as a carrier strike group, Chinese state media reported Tuesday.
China Military Online, the PLA’s official news channel, reported that the Fujian CSG conducted a joint formation sail, search and rescue exercise and carrier-based aircraft take-offs and landing. The strike group includes flagship Fujian, cruiser CNS Yan’an (106), frigate CNS Tongliao (554) and other unnamed PLAN ships.
Fujian conducted numerous launches of its embarked J-15T fighters, J-15DT electronic warfare fighters, J-35 fighters and KJ-600 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft using its Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) catapults, according to the report. The exercise tested the carrier’s launch, recovery and deck capabilities. The PLA also released a video of the training.
The at-sea training was the first time Fujian participated in a maritime live-force training mission since its Nov. 5 commissioning, reads the PLA news report. After the training, Fujian returned to a naval base in Sanya, Hainan Island.
The PLA did not disclose where the strike group conducted the training, nor how long the training went on. The near two weeks between the carrier’s commissioning and the report indicates the CSG may have operated in South China Sea waters near Hainan and mainland China.
The training is part of the normal work up for a carrier in moving towards operational capability. The drills, which were previously scheduled, were meant to test the effectiveness of the Fujian Carrier Strike Group, according to the report.
Fujian brings about a greater capability for the PLAN compared to its two other carriers, CNS Liaoning (16) and CNS Shandong (17). Fujian is the first of China’s carriers to be capable of catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR). CATOBAR capabilities allow Fujian to deploy more and improved J-15 fighters, which have a greater range and payload, as well as J-35 stealth fighter and the KJ-600 AEW&C aircraft.
How soon Fujian will reach operational capability will depend on the PLAN’s criteria for such, which has not been publicly disclosed. In comparison, the Royal Navy carrier force of HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) and HMS Prince of Wales (R09), commissioned in December 2017 and December 2019 respectively, reached full operational capability Monday, nearly five years after reaching initial operational capability on Jan. 4, 2021.
Fujian joins Shandong in being based at Sanya on Hainan Island. China’s Ministry of National Defense has downplayed the implications of Fujian’s homeport, which is said to allow the carrier to support China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.
During the defense ministry’s regular mid-month press conference Friday, spokesperson Snr. Col. Jiang Bing was asked to comment on if the carrier’s basing would lead to China being more assertive in the South China Sea and projecting its power among the countries there.
In response, Jiang said that China adheres to the path of peaceful development and follows a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. He said selection of Fujian’s homeport was determined based on f the hydrological conditions of the military port, the location and construction of supporting facilities, and the convenience for the aircraft carrier to carry out maritime combat readiness and training missions.
“Our navy colleagues say that PLAN vessels will sail to wherever necessary for the protection of China’s national interests. For an aircraft carrier, the deep blue is where it is destined for,” Jiang said, according to a transcript.
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