Once the Type 003 Fujian aircraft carrier enters service, it will significantly increase the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s capabilities—marking the beginning of the “Three Carrier Era.”
There had been speculation over the summer that the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN’s) third aircraft carrier, the Type 003 Fujian, would be commissioned during China’s Victory Day celebrations, which marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. That ultimately didn’t happen—but the carrier has reportedly since headed to sea, and is now expected to enter service in the coming weeks.
Images of the second domestically-built, conventionally-powered carrier departing from the Changxing Island dock at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai on Wednesday have been widely shared on Chinese social media. The warship had spent much of the first half of 2025 undergoing eight different sea trials, carrying out tests of its propulsion, electronic systems, deck operations, and its electromagnetic catapults and aircraft recovery systems. It was followed by nearly three months of post-trial maintenance.
It is unclear whether this recent deployment is for another sea trial. The Fujian was reportedly spotted by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) while being escorted by a Sovremenny-class destroyer and a Type 052C destroyer. All three PLAN warships were operating in the East China Sea on a course for the Taiwan Strait on Thursday afternoon. There have been reports that the carrier and escorts could be sailing to the port of Sanya, home to the Type 002 Shandong, the PLAN’s first domestically-built aircraft carrier.
Will the Fujian Be Commissioned This Month?
Chinese state media had previously reported that the Type 003 Fujian, which is more than 80,000 tons and 320 meters (1,050 feet) in length, would be commissioned by the end of 2025. However, recent progress suggests it could occur somewhat sooner than the end of the year. Beijing has attempted to associate such monumental events with significant dates in modern Chinese history.
That has led to speculation that the PLAN could tie the commissioning of the carrier to September 18—the 94th anniversary of the Mukden Incident, a pretext for Japan’s invasion of China and seizure of Manchuria. October 1, a national holiday commemorating the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, has also been proposed as an alternative date for the carrier’s official commissioning.
According to a report from The South China Morning Post, “China State Shipbuilding Corporation has promoted a carrier-themed Beijing subway train on social media for three consecutive days, further hinting that the Fujian may soon enter service.”
Known as the “Great Victory train” and running on Beijing Subway Line 19, it is decorated with artwork commemorating China’s role in World War II. The themed subway train was scheduled to run every Tuesday to Sunday from August 31 to September 30, with the artwork being updated on Monday and Friday.
The seventh car on the Great Victory train is decorated in a Type 003 Fujian carrier theme. “The carriage floor has been designed to resemble a carrier deck, complete with arresting cables, a helicopter landing zone, and the number 18 – the Fujian’s hull number,” the SCMP added.
Once the Type 003 Fujian aircraft carrier enters service, it will significantly increase the PLAN’s capabilities—marking the beginning of the “Three Carrier Era,” with the PLAN becoming the second largest operator of flattops after the United States Navy. It is also believed that China has begun work on a fourth carrier, one that will likely be nuclear-powered, though its completion and commissioning remains far off.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
