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Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian

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Fujian (18)
Photo of Fujian transiting the East China Sea, September 2025
Class overview
NameType 003
BuildersJiangnan Shipyard
Operators People's Liberation Army Navy
Preceded byType 002 Shandong
Succeeded byType 004
Completed1
Active1
History
China
Name
  • Fujian
  • (Chinese: 福建舰)
NamesakeFujian province
BuilderJiangnan Shipyard
Laid downMarch 2015 – February 2016
Launched17 June 2022
Commissioned5 November 2025[1]
Motto(Simplified Chinese: 忠诚，精武，卓越，奋进)：Be Loyalty, Be Martial prowess, Be Excellence, Be Striving[2]
Statusin active service
General characteristics
Class & typeType 003 aircraft carrier
DisplacementFull load: 80,000–85,000 t (79,000–84,000 long tons)
Length316 m (1,036 ft 9 in)
Beam76 m (249 ft 4 in)
PropulsionSteam turbines
Armament
Aircraft carried
Aviation facilities

Fujian (18; Chinese: 福建舰; pinyin: Fújiàn Jiàn) is a Chinese conventionally powered aircraft carrier serving in the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It is the third carrier of the Chinese aircraft carrier programme and the first of the Type 003 class (NATO/OSD Fujian class),[6] succeeding the Type 002 Shandong. It is China's first indigenously designed carrier,[7] and its first capable of catapult-assisted take-offs (CATOBAR); previous Chinese carriers used ski-jumps (STOBAR).[8] It is the second carrier in the world (after the United States Navy's Gerald R. Ford) to have electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) for launching carrier-based aircraft. The EMALS of Fujian is powered by a Medium-Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) integrated power system—the first of its kind for an aircraft carrier, stated to be more reliable[9] compared to the AC-based EMALS of the Gerald R. Ford-class.[10] It is also the first aircraft carrier in the world to launch a fifth-generation fighter using the electromagnetic catapult system.[11]

Fujian was built by the Jiangnan Shipyard, launched on 17 June 2022, and started sea trials in May 2024.[12] In 2019, analyst Robert Farley from the U.S. Army War College believed that Fujian would be the "largest and most advanced aircraft carrier ever built outside the United States".[13]

On 22 September, 2025, Chinese state media released video footage of Fujian conducting electromagnetic catapult launch tests of the J-15T, J-35 and KJ-600 combat/support aircraft, when the carrier was returning from its ninth sea trial. The carrier was formally commissioned into PLAN service at a ceremony in Sanya on 5 November 2025, with CCP general secretary and Central Military Commission chairman Xi Jinping in attendance.[1]

Design

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Fujian's class was originally designated by military observers as Type 002, because at the time the incomplete Shandong was thought to be Type 001A due to it being a modified design of the preceding Type 001 Liaoning. Shandong was officially confirmed as a Type 002 during its commissioning in December 2019. After that, observers began referring to the in-construction Fujian as Type 003.[citation needed]

Fujian was originally intended to use steam catapults,[citation needed] which the Chinese reverse-engineered from the scrapped HMAS Melbourne.[14] In 2013, PLAN Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo reported it would use electromagnetic catapults instead;[15] EM catapults prototypes were observed in 2012.[16]

Size

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The ship is estimated to be 316 m (1,036 ft 9 in) long, 76 m (249 ft 4 in) wide,[17] and have a full load displacement of 80,000 to 85,000 tons.[7] The size has been compared to the United States Navy's Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carriers.[18][19]

Aviation

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The flight deck has three medium-voltage direct-current electromagnetic catapults, an angled landing runway with electromagnetic arresting gears,[20] and two starboard hangar elevators.[12] As of 2025, electromagnetic (EM) catapults are the most technologically advanced aircraft launch technology and are only used on the Fujian and the USS Gerald R. Ford,[21] while previous CATOBAR systems have used steam catapults and hydraulic arresting gears.

Fujian's air wing is estimated to include at least 40 fixed-wing aircraft and 12 helicopters. The onboard air wing includes catapult-compatible J-15T multirole fighters, the J-15DT electronic-warfare aircraft,[22] the J-35 stealth fighters, the KJ-600 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, and the HZ-20 utility helicopters.[7]

Propulsion

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Fujian is powered by conventional steam turbines and diesel generators.[17]

History

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Construction

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Fujian at the Jiangnan Shipyard in 2022

The National Interest reported that construction began in March 2015.[23] The Diplomat reported that "initial work" began in February 2016, with Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard Group receiving a notice to proceed in March 2017.[24] Work was reportedly delayed in June 2017 by EM and steam catapult tests.[25] By November 2017, work had resumed after the PLAN reportedly developing an IEP system to power the EM catapults.[26][27][28] The first prefabricated block modules were placed into the dry dock in July 2020, and most of the keel and base hull blocks were in place by early September 2020.[citation needed] The superstructure was installed by July 2021.[29]

Outfitting

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External image
image icon Officially released images of Fujian during sea trials, May 2024 (Internet Archive)

Fujian was launched on 17 June 2022.[17] Like previous Chinese carriers, it was named for a province according to PLAN naming regulations.[30] Western media noted that Fujian province was opposite to Taiwan across the Taiwan Strait.[31][32][33] Power and mooring tests started in April 2023.[17] Catapult testing started in November 2023.[34] Aircraft mockups were also used.[35]

Sea trials

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Fujian started sea trials in May 2024. The first occurred from 1 to 8 May.[36][12] The PLAN acknowledged that trials were underway in December 2024.[37] Fujian returned to Jiangnan pier near Shanghai from its fifth sea trial on 3 December 2024, after having left on 18 November 2024; this was its longest trial out of the five trials conducted up until December 2024.[38] Photographs of the returning carrier showed rubber markings from tyres on the deck, a possible indicator that real aircraft were involved in the fifth trial.[38] The Fujian returned from its sixth sea trial on 7 January 2025.[39]

On 18 March 2025, the Fujian set out on its seventh sea trial. Because catapult testing was expected to take place, expectations that the ship could be commissioned in 2025 were raised, should the tests be deemed a success.[40] The carrier returned from its seventh sea trial on 1 April 2025.[41] Fujian carried out its eighth sea trial at the end of May 2025, with ship-borne Shenyang J-35 stealth fighters, fitted for catapult launch, carrying out tests and flights at the same time.[42]

On 1 August 2025, Chinese media released a video teasing the launch of the J-15T carrier-borne fighter aircraft using electromagnetic catapults. Though no complete sequence of the take-off and recovery was shown,[43] analysts believed the carrier and its air wing were reaching an important milestone.[44]

The ninth sea trial began on 10 September 2025. On 11 September the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed it was spotted in waters northwest of the Senkaku Islands, heading for the Taiwan Strait.[45] On 12 September it was confirmed to have passed through the Taiwan Strait and headed for the South China Sea for training and testing.[46][47] The report speculates that, based on the number of sea trials conducted by Chinese aircraft carriers prior to commissioning, the carrier could be commissioned on 18 September (the commemoration of the September 18 Incident) or early October (National Day).[48][49][50] The Chinese navy downplayed the trip, however, saying on 12 September that this "cross-regional trial and training exercise" was a routine arrangement in the carrier's construction process.[51]

On 22 September 2025, the Chinese state broadcaster released multiple videos and photos showing the complete launch and recovery sequence for the Shenyang J-15T, Shenyang J-35, and Xi'an KJ-600 aircraft, via the ship's electromagnetic catapults.[43][52] PLA Navy announced that Fujian had achieved "initial full-deck operational capability", and the test laid the foundation for the ensuing integration of the carrier air wing and the carrier battle group.[53][54] These flight tests were likely completed months ago during one of the earlier sea trials, instead of in September. The timing of the footage's release during the 9th sea trial could indicate that the commissioning of the aircraft carrier was imminent.[55][56]

Commissioning

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The carrier was commissioned at a ceremony in Sanya, Hainan on 5 November 2025. CCP general secretary and Central Military Commission chairman Xi Jinping was in attendance at the commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony. Afterwards, he boarded for an inspection tour.[1]

See also

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References

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b c "China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, enters service". Reuters. 7 November 2025. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  2. ^ 滚动播报 (7 November 2025). "福建舰舰徽舰标亮相揭秘福建舰舰徽舰标含义". finance.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  3. ^ "Landmark launch of China's J-35 stealth jet from Fujian aircraft carrier". South China Morning Post. 22 September 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  4. ^ Satam, Parth (22 September 2025). "J-35, J-15 and KJ-600 Shown Operating Off PLA Navy's Fujian Carrier". The Aviationist.
  5. ^ "China Commissions 3rd Aircraft Carrier Fujian". USNI News. 7 November 2025. Archived from the original on 9 November 2025. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
  6. ^ "China". www.oni.navy.mil. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  7. ^ a b c Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2023, p. 71.
  8. ^ Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2023, p. 70.
  9. ^ Silver, Stephen (22 October 2025). "China's New Aircraft Carrier Has 1 Big Advantage over the U.S. Navy". Nationalsecurityjournal.
  10. ^ "China's J-35 Electromagnetic Launch: Not a Catch-Up to the US, But an Overtake". The China Academy. 23 September 2025. Archived from the original on 27 September 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  11. ^ "China's J-35 fighter beats F-35C, becomes first stealth jet to be launched from an aircraft carrier using EMALS; Fujian breaks US Navy's monopoly, watch video". The Economic Times. 2025. Archived from the original on 17 October 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  12. ^ a b c Rahmat, Ridzwan (16 May 2024). "Special Report: China gears up third carrier for more enduring operations despite flight deck flaw". Janes. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  13. ^ Farley, Robert (10 May 2019). "The Significance of China's Second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier". The Diplomat. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  14. ^ Hobbs, HMAS Melbourne (II) – 25 Years On, p. 9
  15. ^ "Chinese aircraft carrier should narrow the gap with its U.S. counterpart". english.peopledaily.com.cn. People's Daily. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  16. ^ "简氏:中国试飞改进型歼-15 或用于测试电磁弹射器_《参考消息》官方网站". Cankaoxiaoxi.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  17. ^ a b c d "How Advanced Is China's Third Aircraft Carrier?", Center for Strategic and International Studies, 17 May 2023, retrieved 25 May 2024
  18. ^ Funaiole, Matthew P.; Jr, Joseph S. Bermudez; Hart, Brian (15 June 2021). "China's Third Aircraft Carrier Takes Shape". CSIS.
  19. ^ Chen, Frank (28 May 2019). "Third PLA carrier could be China's Kitty Hawk". Asia Times. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  20. ^ Kajal, Kapil (10 November 2025). "World's largest 80,000-ton jet carrier with magnetic catapult launched in China". Interesting Engineering.
  21. ^ Zhao, Suisheng (2024). "Is Beijing's Long Game on Taiwan about to End? Peaceful Unification, Brinksmanship, and Military Takeover". In Zhao, Suisheng (ed.). The Taiwan Question in Xi Jinping's Era: Beijing's Evolving Taiwan Policy and Taiwan's Internal and External Dynamics. London and New York: Routledge. p. 18. doi:10.4324/9781003521709. ISBN 9781032861661.
  22. ^ Satam, Parth (22 September 2025). "J-35, J-15 and KJ-600 Shown Operating Off PLA Navy's Fujian Carrier". The Aviationist.
  23. ^ "China's Next Aircraft Carrier: Everything We Know (So Far)". The National Interest. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  24. ^ "China Kicks Off Construction of New Supercarrier". The Diplomat. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  25. ^ "China Explores Electromagnetic Carrier Launch System". AIN online. 6 July 2017.
  26. ^ Minnie Chan (1 November 2017). "Breakthrough to power most advanced jet launch system on China's second home-grown aircraft carrier". South China Morning Post.
  27. ^ "China's New Aircraft Carrier to Use Advanced Jet Launch System". The Diplomat. 1 November 2017.
  28. ^ Johnson, Reuben F (2 November 2017). "China claims to have developed conventionally powered electromagnetic catapult". Jane's 360.
  29. ^ "China's third aircraft carrier could launch this year but still needs jets". 16 July 2021.
  30. ^ Newdick, Thomas (17 June 2022). "China Launches The Fujian, Its Most Capable Aircraft Carrier Yet (Updated)". The Drive.
  31. ^ Martin Quin Pollard (18 June 2022). "China launches third aircraft carrier, named after province opposite Taiwan". Reuters. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  32. ^ Sinéad Baker (17 June 2022). "China launches its 3rd aircraft carrier, naming it after the province directly facing Taiwan". Business Insider. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  33. ^ "China launches new aircraft carrier in bid to catch up with US capability". Financial Times. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  34. ^ Trevithick, Joseph (27 November 2023). "China's New Aircraft Carrier Begins Catapult Testing". The Drive.
  35. ^ Aadil Brar (3 January 2024). "China releases new images of third aircraft carrier Fujian". Newsweek. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  36. ^ Zhao, Ziwen (8 May 2024). "Smooth sailing for China's Fujian aircraft carrier as it finishes first sea trial". South China Morning Post.
  37. ^ Bearn, Louis (25 November 2024). "China's aircraft carriers begin to spread their wings". The International Institute for Strategic Studies.
  38. ^ a b Sakurai, Rin (11 December 2024). "Chinese Fujian Aircraft Carrier Returns from Fifth Sea Trials". The Aviationist. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  39. ^ "Fujian carrier finishes sea trial, fighter mock-ups noticed".
  40. ^ "China's Fujian aircraft carrier sets off on seventh sea trial". 22 March 2025.
  41. ^ "Photos show China's most-advanced aircraft carrier closer to completion". Newsweek. 2 April 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  42. ^ "China's advanced Fujian carrier conducts 'intensive' eighth sea trial". South China Morning Post. 25 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  43. ^ a b Xiao, Josh (22 September 2025). "China Showcases Electromagnetic Carrier Catapult For First Time". Bloomberg News.
  44. ^ Trevithick, Joseph (1 August 2025). "China Teases First Catapult Launches From Its New Carrier Fujian". The War Zone.
  45. ^ "Japan defense force sights China's Fujian aircraft carrier for 1st time". Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  46. ^ "海军福建舰赴南海相关海域开展科研试验和训练任务". 中国新闻网. 12 September 2025.
  47. ^ "China's newest aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Strait – DW – 09/12/2025". dw.com. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  48. ^ "官宣福建艦首次「遠航秀」 專家：很可能是入列前最後一次海試". 大公文匯網 (in Chinese). Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  49. ^ "福建舰或将第九次海试再引入列猜测". www.zaobao.com.sg (in Simplified Chinese). Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  50. ^ "China's Fujian carrier leaves port, adding to signs it will soon enter service". South China Morning Post. 11 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  51. ^ "China's newest aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Strait – DW – 09/12/2025". dw.com. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  52. ^ "China's latest aircraft carrier showcases new fighter jet launch system. Only the US has the same tech". CNN. 23 September 2025.
  53. ^ Zhao, Lei (22 September 2025). "CNS Fujian achieves milestone with electromagnetic launch of advanced Naval aircraft". China Daily.
  54. ^ Chen, Chuanren (22 September 2025). "China Validates Fixed-Wing EMALS Launch, Recovery On Carrier Fujian". Aviation Week.
  55. ^ Lariosa, Aaron-Matthew (22 September 2025). "Chinese Aircraft Carrier Fujian Launches Stealth Jet, Early Warning Aircraft in Catapult Tests". UNSI News.
  56. ^ Yeo, Mike (22 September 2025). "China shows catapult launches of carrierborne aircraft for the first time". Breaking Defense.

Sources

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