Key Points and Summary – China’s PLAN announced its first at-sea EM catapult launches and arrested landings from the Type 003 carrier Fujian, using J-15T fighters, the stealthy J-35B, and KJ-600 AEW aircraft.
-The 80,000-ton carrier, sized for ~40 aircraft, marks a leap beyond Liaoning/Shandong ski-jump limits, enabling heavier fuel/weapon loads and true blue-water ops.
-Analyst Ben Lewis calls the event a major milestone; footage likely predates release, timed with Fujian’s ninth sea trials—signaling commissioning soon.
-Once operational, China could field fifth-gen carrier air with fixed-wing AEW across the first island chain. The trials land amid a regional carrier buildup by India, Japan, and Indonesia.
China Successfully Launches All Of Its Aircraft Carrier-Capable Aircraft from Fujian
WARSAW, POLAND – On September 22, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) announced the successful completion of the inaugural electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landings. These were training operations on the first aircraft carrier of Chinese design, the CV-18 Fujian.
Monday’s announcement stated that all three carrier-capable aircraft operated by the service—namely, the Shenyang J-15T, J-35B, and Xi’an KJ-600 (KJ-600)—successfully completed catapult-assisted takeoffs and arrested landings.
The daytime launches and traps demonstrated that the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) first domestically-designed and catapult-equipped aircraft carrier has functioning electromagnetic launch and recovery capabilities.
This is another in a series of groundbreaking achievements by the PLAN, which has been seeking to build a full-up carrier operations capability for use in blue water operations.
Media supplied by the PRC military showed the Fujian launching and recovering these advanced aircraft, as well as conducting full-up deck operations.
The PLAN stated that this was the first time the carrier had engaged in sea-based flight operations.
All aircraft involved in this demonstration were seen earlier this month, on September 3, in Beijing during the national military parade held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and victory against Japan.
Fujian is one of the most advanced naval vessels produced under the PRC’s extensive naval modernization and expansion programs.
The Type 003 aircraft carrier was launched in the summer of 2022, making it the largest warship to be commissioned in Asia since the end of World War II.
China Air Operations Evolving
The 80,000-ton carrier can support an air wing of 40 aircraft. The new carrier represents a significant leap in technology and operational reach for Beijing compared to the Russian-designed short takeoff but arrested recovery (STOBAR)- operated ski ramp carriers.
These models are the CV 16 Liaoning, which was originally acquired from Ukraine, and the CV 17 Shandong, a slightly larger copy of the previous ship.
The ski ramp carriers, which lack a catapult, have been a limiting factor in the PLAN’s ability to launch fighters.
Without the extra speed supplied by the catapult aircraft, such as the J-15, it could only launch with either half-empty fuel tanks or reduced weapons loads.
China Aircraft Carrier Operations. Image Credit: Chinese Navy.
The naval aviation tests that show the PRC’s ability to field progressively more modern and advanced capabilities are only part of the story. The Fujian’s at-sea flight operations are occurring at the same time as a carrier buildup between regional powers.
The Indian Navy will now equip its latest carrier with the French Dassault Rafale M fighter, which is the carrier-capable version of the French aircraft’s design. These aircraft will significantly enhance India’s ability to project combat power in the Indian Ocean Region.
Japan is also currently in the process of converting a class of two helicopter destroyers into naval vessels capable of supporting F-35B operations.
The Indonesian Navy is supposedly interested in acquiring an Italian carrier for conversion into a drone mothership equipped with Turkish Bayraktar attack UAVs.
Catapult Testing Footage Delayed Release
Ben Lewis, who is a co-founder of the PLATracker website, told USNI News that these catapult tests were a “significant milestone” for the PLAN’s carrier program.
However, he concludes that the footage, which was not shot today but was recorded some time ago, is being released and shown now for optimal timing.
“While it appears likely that the tests were done earlier this year, the choice to release the footage during Fujian’s ninth sea trials suggests that Fujian will likely be ready for commissioning in the near future,” Lewis said.
He also pointed out the power projection capabilities that the Fujian would provide Beijing – showing how much of a force multiplier the new carrier and aerial capabilities are.
“Once operational, the PLAN will have the capacity to field fifth-generation stealth carrier aircraft, supported by fixed-wing carrier-based airborne early warning and command aircraft, across the first island chain and Western Pacific Ocean,” Lewis said.
About the Author: Reuben F. Johnson
Reuben F. Johnson has thirty-six years of experience analyzing and reporting on foreign weapons systems, defense technologies, and international arms export policy. Johnson is the Director of Research at the Casimir Pulaski Foundation. He is also a survivor of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He worked for years in the American defense industry as a foreign technology analyst and later as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Defense, the Departments of the Navy and Air Force, and the governments of the United Kingdom and Australia. In 2022-2023, he won two awards in a row for his defense reporting. He holds a bachelor’s degree from DePauw University and a master’s degree from Miami University in Ohio, specializing in Soviet and Russian studies. He lives in Warsaw.
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