China hints Fujian aircraft carrier may soon be commissioned

The Fujian, China’s most advanced aircraft carrier, is expected to be commissioned soon based on new images circulating on social media.

On Monday state media dropped another hint that the ship would soon be entering service by referring to an “era” when the Chinese navy would have three carriers.

New satellite images of the ship circulating on social media showed 36 newly painted spaces on the flight deck for warplanes, a higher capacity than the country’s two existing carriers.

Song Zhongping, a military commentator and former PLA instructor, said the new markings suggested that the Fujian “is getting prepared to be commissioned”.

“The aircraft carrier will [then] enter trial service to continue testing the adaptability and coordination between the carrier and aircraft or other weapon systems,” he said.

Song said it was possible that more sea trials would be conducted before the Fujian formally entered service by the end of the year, as more take-off and landing tests and carrier group coordination exercises were needed.

But they could also be conducted during the trial service period, he added.

South China Morning Post