China has released new footage of its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, successfully launching advanced warplanes using an electromagnetic catapult system (EMALS), a milestone in naval aviation that underscores the rapid pace of the country’s maritime modernization.
The video, distributed by state media and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), depicts several aircraft launching and recovering aboard the Fujian, including the J-35 stealth fighter, the J-15T carrier-based fighter, and the KJ-600 early warning and control aircraft. The launches, assisted by the Fujian’s cutting-edge electromagnetic catapults, mark a significant step in China’s quest to develop a blue-water navy comparable to the U.S.
From Ski-Jump Carriers to EMALS
Until recently, China relied on older ski-jump carrier designs with limited launch capabilities. Its first carrier, the Liaoning, was built from the hull of an unfinished Soviet warship, while the domestically produced Shandong offered improvements but retained the same ski-jump configuration.
The Fujian represents a new generation: a flat-deck carrier fitted with three EMALS catapults, a technology previously deployed only by the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class carriers. Unlike ski jumps, electromagnetic catapults allow for heavier, fully armed, and fully fueled aircraft to take off, enabling a more diverse and capable air wing.
Matthew Funaiole, senior fellow with the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, described China’s progress as “remarkable,” noting how quickly Beijing has advanced from no carriers, to older Soviet designs, and now to state-of-the-art launch systems.
The J-35 Stealth Fighter Takes Center Stage
Perhaps the most striking moment in the footage was the first publicized launch of the J-35 stealth fighter from an electromagnetic catapult. If confirmed, this makes China the first country to launch a stealth jet from a carrier using EMALS, ahead of the U.S., which has yet to launch its F-35C from the Ford class using electromagnetic systems.
Launching stealth aircraft via catapult presents engineering challenges, as the design of such jets typically emphasizes stealth optimization over structural reinforcement. Successfully adapting the J-35 for EMALS operations suggests significant progress in China’s aerospace engineering.
Closing the Surveillance Gap
While the J-35 launch captured global attention, analysts suggest the KJ-600 early warning aircraft may be an even more critical development. Comparable to the U.S. Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, the KJ-600 provides fixed-wing airborne early warning and command capabilities that helicopters and ship-based radars cannot match.
According to Funaiole, the KJ-600 “fills a critical gap in China’s naval aviation, allowing carrier strike groups to see farther and coordinate more complex operations.” This capability could transform the effectiveness of Chinese carrier groups in regional and long-range operations.
Fujian’s Road to Commissioning
Launched in 2022, the 80,000-ton Fujian has already completed eight sea trials, testing propulsion, launches, and recovery systems. The recent footage coincides with the ship’s ninth trial phase, which will evaluate its endurance and long-term operational capabilities.
Although Fujian’s technology is world-class, questions remain about operational readiness. The U.S. Navy has decades of carrier combat experience, while China’s carrier program is still relatively new. Experts caution that PLAN demonstrations are conducted under optimal conditions, and mastering real-world, all-weather carrier operations remains a challenge.
A Rapidly Modernizing Fleet
Despite these uncertainties, the Fujian’s achievements represent a clear leap forward in China’s naval power projection. Successfully launching a stealth aircraft from EMALS not only sets a global precedent but also signals Beijing’s determination to close the gap with the U.S. Navy.
As Funaiole notes, “The pace of progress is impressive and underscores how quickly China is modernizing its forces.” With the Fujian moving closer to full commissioning, the balance of naval power in the Asia-Pacific may be entering a new era.