China’s newest aircraft carrier, the CNS Fujian, has launched its next generation of carrier aircraft for the first time, according to official reports from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
Footage released by state media showed Shenyang J-15T and J-35 fighter jets, along with a Xi’an KJ-600 early warning aircraft, launching from the Fujian’s electromagnetic catapults at an undisclosed location at sea.
The footage also showed all three aircraft types landing and performing deck operations aboard the carrier.
China’s Fujian carrier has launched & landed J-15T, J-35 & KJ-600 jets using electromagnetic catapults
It’s the first non-US carrier with this breakthrough tech
As China’s first domestically built catapult carrier, Fujian proves full electromagnetic launch & recovery capability pic.twitter.com/xmJQ9QQs9N
— RT (@RT_com) September 22, 2025
Launched in 2022, the 80,000-ton Fujian is the largest warship built in Asia since World War II and can host about 60 aircraft, according to estimates from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The vessel will be China’s third aircraft carrier and the first equipped with a catapult launch system, allowing heavier aircraft such as the KJ-600 to operate from its deck. By contrast, China’s first two carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, use ski-jump ramps to launch J-15 fighter jets.
The Fujian has been on sea trials since May and was recently observed sailing from Shanghai through the Taiwan Strait to the South China Sea.
Naval analyst Ben Lewis told USNI News the release of footage during the vessel’s ninth trial suggests it could be nearing commissioning.
“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 emphasized the power Beijing could achieve with its new carrier.
“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.
