China’s Fujian Aircraft Carrier Achieves First Catapult Launch with Stealth J-35, Heavy J-15T, Early Warning KJ-600 Aircraft

China’s first domestically built electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has completed its first catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing training involving the J-15T heavy fighter jet, J-35 stealth fighter jet, and KJ-600 early warning aircraft, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy announced Monday.

The announcement confirms that the Fujian has obtained electromagnetic catapult launch and recovery capabilities, advancing its path toward operational readiness. The PLA Navy said the training verified the compatibility between China’s independently developed electromagnetic catapult and arresting system with multiple carrier-based aircraft, giving the vessel initial full-deck operation capability.

Military analyst Zhang Junshe told the Global Times that “this indicates that the aircraft carrier Fujian has already achieved initial operational capability, laying a solid foundation for its commissioning and the full development of its combat readiness.”

The J-35, a fifth-generation carrier-based stealth fighter, marks China’s entry into the era of fifth-generation carrier aviation, making the country the second after the U.S. to operate such aircraft from carriers. Zhang described the J-35 as “a symbolic equipment for the PLA Navy’s transition from a near seas defense force to a far seas defense force.”

The KJ-600 fixed-wing early warning aircraft also made its first catapult-assisted takeoff from the Fujian. Compared to shipborne helicopters or radar systems, the KJ-600 offers extended range, altitude, and detection capabilities, enhancing the carrier group’s command, control, and surveillance functions.

The combination of the J-35’s stealth and air superiority role, the J-15T’s payload capacity, and the KJ-600’s early warning role may create a more comprehensive “five-piece suite” of carrier-based aviation capabilities, including electronic warfare and anti-submarine missions.

The Fujian, which began sea trials in May 2024, is China’s third aircraft carrier and the first to feature electromagnetic catapults. Its commissioning is expected to bring China into a three-carrier era, expanding the PLA Navy’s ability to operate in far seas.

“The Fujian reflects both China’s mastery of catapult systems and the growing capability of naval personnel to handle complex equipment,” Zhang said. “Once commissioned, the PLA Navy’s carrier strike capability will be elevated to a new level.”