PRC Peoples Liberation Army Navy

Ananda

Ananda

The Bunker Group

CCTV few hours ago put video on Fujian completion of 8 days maiden sea trials. Claim as succes as all basic propulsion and electronic systems for sea operations perform as expected.

Seems they are in line for aircraft trials but year end, as some rumours in Chinese media and online enthusiasts claiming. Perhaps that's more to deck landing by helicopters or touch and go fighters trials. I'm still doubt PLA will conduct their EMALS live trials by end of this year.

Some onlines Chinese forumers speculate that each class of carriers will be in two. Thus #1-2 was STOBAR carriers, #3-4 will be this Conventions CATOBAR carriers, while #5-6 will be Nuclear CATOBAR carriers. Thus fulfill PLA supposedly target to have 6 CAG operational by early next decade.
 
John Fedup

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
A working EMALS with GT supplied power will be very interesting. Power problems could make the Fujian a single vessel class and the next carrier will be nuclear. The other important item is a working J-35 which, even with modest stealth, will increase the PLAN's aviation strike capability.
 
Ananda

Ananda

The Bunker Group
John Fedup said:
working EMALS with GT supplied power will be very interesting.
Click to expand...
For me, problem with the talks on EMALS going to have problem to work on non nuclear carriers, come mostly from calculations on US EMALS power consumption. I'm not saying China ones will use less power, but Chinese EMALS as far as I know had no reliable data open for their power consumption. Just to have to wait and see the results of their operations with Fujian.

Could it be Fujian will be sole carrier in the class? Could Fujian actually only be use as test bed for EMALS before being switch to next class of CVN? All have possibilities, but using one of carrier as trial bed for systems going to be use on next CVN, it is very expensive move, even for China.

Personally I tend to agree with some rumours on Chinese online enthusiasts forums. PLAN will move gradually before goes to CVN with STOBAR class first, then follow with Conventional CATOBAR class, with each has 2 carriers. Still with China, they are could be some surprises in corner.
 
John Fedup

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
I recall the QE class F-35B/F-35C fubar. Apparently had the CATOBAR conversion gone ahead, a third MT30 GT would be required. Even if the conversion was deemed economical (unlikely), the question of EMALS power requirements would still be a concern. Needless to say, a QE CATOBAR carrier with F-35Cs and a couple of Hawkeyes would have resulted in more effective ships for the RN. The down stroke would have been the PLAN accelerating a proven concept thus perhaps having two Fujians today albeit without the J-35s.
 
K

koxinga

Well-Known Member
Yes, estimates is around 100 meters based on previous photo where she was next to a Type 54 at the shipyard.

I have some doubt that she is a test ship. Just too clean and too large. Sensors can always be tested on PLAN test ships and hull forms can be tested at smaller scale.
 
Ananda

Ananda

The Bunker Group
defence-blog.com

Futuristic stealth corvette spotted in China

Observations at the Dalian Shipyard in Liaoning, China, have unveiled a new type of military vessel, sparking intrigue and speculation among analysts. The new vessel, identified as a stealth corvette, represents a groundbreaking addition to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)...
defence-blog.com defence-blog.com

Yes, I forgot this corvette already make news by end quarter of last year. Will be interesting if this is going to be type 056 corvette follow up. I'm sceptical this is going to be Type 056 replacement, as some pundits suggest. As type 56 basically still quite young.

Still some reports suggest PLAN want to convert some Type 056 to Coast Guard cutter. So that's possibility this end up as 056 replacement (at least some of them), might still happen. For one thing it can attract some export market in Global South.
 
K

koxinga

Well-Known Member
We have seen Chinese test ships before.

If it is equipment testing, they use ships with dedicated measurement systems to track performance of those systems (ships with pennant 89X)
china-defense.blogspot.com

Third Chinese Navy Test Ship Launched.

To quote hmmwv "Apparently two ships are not enough for PLAN to play with its new toys." 893's two older sister test ships (891 and 8...
china-defense.blogspot.com china-defense.blogspot.com

If it is a specific hull design, they do small scale.
news.usni.org

Chinese Navy Crafts Unmanned Sea Hunter Knock-off - USNI News

A candid photograph posted on Chinese social media sheds light on a Chinese project to develop an unmanned ship similar to the U.S. Navy’s Sea Hunter. The trimaran is remarkably similar to the Sea Hunter in almost every respect. Although the designation of the project is unknown, based on...
news.usni.org news.usni.org

So for me, this ship does not fit the mold. It might have some new systems but it is too complete as package. It could well be the first of class for a Type 56 replacement.
 
Ananda

Ananda

The Bunker Group
www.navalnews.com

Chinese experimental corvette starts sea trials

A new Chinese experimental corvette has started sea trials. The ship is designated as a comprehensive testing platform.
www.navalnews.com www.navalnews.com

More info on this 'stealth' Corvette which some online pundits call it Chinese Visby. It is now doing sea trials after the launch that being attend by PLAN brass. Indicating this program have full backing from PLAN, thus not just some Shipyard trying to come out with new design.

The shipyard also the ones that build Type 056 Corvette as recent Corvette class of PLAN. So there're some indications this design can be follow on from Type 056 Corvette.
 
R

Reptilia

Well-Known Member
Ananda said:
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1791044211501895942

Talking on Chinese 'Visby' Corvette, found this on Navy Lookout X account. Now this new Swedish Surface combatants siloute and potential dimensions, are having external similarities with the Chinese Visby.

Just wait to see some comments onlines claiming and counter claiming on whose copying whom :D.
Click to expand...
Lulea class design was out in 2022. Pinching that info out of Sweden in the early 2020s is a possibility.

Pic I screenshotted from Saab.
 

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