China’s New Aircraft Carrier Fujian Nears Combat-Readiness, India responds with INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant
China's largest conventionally powered aircraft carrier, the 80,000-ton Fujian, has entered another phase of sea trials. These tests begin at Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai. They focus on advanced technologies like electromagnetic catapults and arresting gear systems. This paves the way for launching and recovering cutting-edge fighter jets. If the current tests involve the first carrier-based operations for aircraft like the J-15T and J-35 fighters, it will be significant. It will mark a major milestone. This step is crucial toward the carrier’s formal induction into the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Once commissioned, the Fujian will become China's third operational carrier,…