China’s naval modernization reached a significant milestone this week as the country’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the CNS Fujian, successfully completed its first flight operations involving electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoffs and arrested landings. This achievement, reported by Xinhua News Agency, marks a major leap in the nation’s carrier-based aviation capabilities and underscores its ambitions to challenge U.S. military dominance in the Pacific.To get more news about latest local news in china, you can citynewsservice.cn official website.
The Fujian, China’s first domestically built carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, differs sharply from its predecessors—the CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong—which rely on ski-jump flight decks. The new technology allows the launch of heavier fixed-wing aircraft, expanding operational flexibility and combat potential. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Fujian can carry about 60 aircraft, surpassing the capacity of the Liaoning and Shandong.
Aircraft Involved in the Breakthrough
The test operations featured three key aircraft types:
J-15T: A carrier-based fighter capable of operating from both catapult- and ski-jump-equipped decks.
J-35: China’s next-generation stealth-capable naval combat jet, bearing design similarities to the U.S. F-35.
KJ-600: An early warning and command aircraft, described as China’s analogue to the American E-2 series, serving as the “eyes and ears” of the fleet.
Footage released by the Chinese navy showed these aircraft being launched from and recovered onto the Fujian’s flight deck using catapults and arresting wires at an undisclosed sea location. The operations demonstrated the carrier’s ability to integrate advanced launch and recovery systems, a capability that significantly enhances sortie rates and mission readiness.
Strategic Context
The breakthrough comes amid heightened military activity in the region. In June, China deployed both the Liaoning and Shandong in the western Pacific, while the U.S. stationed an aircraft carrier in Japan capable of carrying stealth fighters. The Fujian’s progress adds another layer to the evolving strategic balance in the Asia-Pacific.
Aircraft carriers are more than just floating airfields—they are symbols of national power projection. The ability to launch heavier aircraft with greater payloads means the Fujian could support more complex missions, from long-range strike operations to enhanced surveillance and command functions.
Technological Leap
Electromagnetic catapults represent a significant technological advancement over traditional steam catapults, offering smoother acceleration, reduced stress on aircraft, and improved efficiency. For China, mastering this technology signals not only engineering prowess but also the capacity to sustain high-tempo carrier operations comparable to those of the U.S. Navy.
The arrested recovery system, using high-tensile wires to “catch” incoming aircraft, complements the catapult launch capability. Together, these systems enable the Fujian to operate a broader range of aircraft, including heavier support planes that were previously impractical to launch from ski-jump decks.
Implications for Regional Security
Analysts note that the Fujian’s capabilities could alter naval dynamics in contested waters such as the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Enhanced carrier aviation allows for greater reach, faster response times, and more sustained presence in key maritime zones.
While the Fujian is still undergoing sea trials and has not yet entered full service, its successful test flights suggest that operational deployment may be on the horizon. Once fully commissioned, the carrier will join the Liaoning and Shandong, giving China a three-carrier fleet—a formidable force in regional waters.
Looking Ahead
China’s carrier program has evolved rapidly over the past decade, transitioning from refurbishing a Soviet-era vessel (Liaoning) to building indigenous designs with cutting-edge launch systems. The leap from ski-jump to electromagnetic catapult mirrors the trajectory of other major naval powers and positions China among the few nations capable of fielding such technology.
In recent years, the Chinese navy’s carrier-based aviation has advanced from single-aircraft operations to integrated systems, from shore-based training to ship-based missions, and now from ski-jump launches to catapult-assisted takeoffs. This progression reflects a deliberate strategy to enhance maritime power projection and secure China’s interests far beyond its shores.
As the Fujian continues trials, observers will watch closely for signs of expanded operational scope, including joint exercises, long-range deployments, and integration with other elements of China’s growing blue-water navy. The carrier’s success is not just a technical milestone—it is a statement of intent in the evolving contest for influence across the world’s oceans.
