China Launches Stealth Jets from Fujian Carrier with EM Catapult

Post by : Meena Rani

China has released new footage showing its latest aircraft carrier, Fujian, using electromagnetic catapults to launch military aircraft, including a new stealth fighter. The clips highlight Beijing’s rapid advancements in naval technology and efforts to build a more capable carrier fleet.

The videos feature the Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter, the J-15T carrier-based fighter, and the KJ-600 early warning and control aircraft taking off from Fujian. Observers note that the footage demonstrates China’s ability to conduct modern carrier operations, including catapult launches, arresting-cable landings, and aircraft recovery.

Major Technological Leap

The Fujian is China’s third aircraft carrier and its second domestically built vessel, marking a substantial upgrade from its predecessors, Liaoning and Shandong. Unlike the ski-jump design of earlier carriers, Fujian features a flat flight deck with electromagnetic catapults similar to those on the U.S. Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford.

The Liaoning, China’s first carrier, was converted from an unfinished Soviet hull, while Shandong was a domestically produced upgrade that retained older design elements. Fujian, by contrast, hosts three electromagnetic launch systems, allowing it to launch aircraft of varying weights, fully fueled and armed. This capability is a major improvement over ski-jump carriers, offering more predictable and efficient operations.

Launching Stealth Aircraft

The footage suggests China may have become the first country to launch a stealth fighter from a carrier using an electromagnetic catapult. The J-35, which appeared in the videos, had been test-launched in September 2024, but this is the first public demonstration of an actual takeoff.

Stealth aircraft present engineering challenges for catapult launches due to structural and aerodynamic considerations. The successful J-35 launch indicates that China has addressed these challenges, enabling the jet to withstand the stress of carrier operations.

The U.S. Navy has yet to launch an F-35C stealth fighter using the electromagnetic launch system on its Ford-class carriers, although Nimitz-class carriers have deployed F-35s using steam catapults.

Enhancing Early Warning Capabilities

The KJ-600 aircraft shown in the footage plays a crucial role in carrier strike group operations. Modeled after the U.S. E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, it provides fixed-wing airborne early warning, allowing the carrier to detect threats at extended ranges and coordinate complex operations. Analysts suggest that this addition fills a critical capability gap in China’s naval aviation.

Carrier Operations and Trials

The Fujian, launched in 2022, is undergoing its final sea trials before commissioning. These tests include aircraft launches, propulsion assessments, and operational readiness evaluations. The footage was reportedly filmed in early September during China’s Victory Day celebrations, showcasing the nation’s most advanced prototypes.

Experts caution that while Fujian’s technology is impressive, experience and operational reliability remain key. The U.S. Navy has decades of combat and peacetime carrier operation experience, whereas China is still developing crew proficiency and operational protocols. Tests conducted under controlled conditions, such as those shown in the footage, may not fully reflect real-world combat performance.

Strategic Implications

Despite the learning curve, the pace of China’s naval modernization is noteworthy. The Fujian represents a leap in carrier design, reflecting broader trends in China’s military expansion and ambition to operate a blue-water navy capable of rivaling U.S. forces.

Analysts note that mastering carrier operations involves more than technology—it requires extensive training, coordination, and adaptability under diverse conditions. Nonetheless, Fujian demonstrates that China is closing the gap in key areas of carrier aviation and early warning capabilities.

China aircraft carrier, Fujian carrier, J-35 stealth fighter, J-15T, KJ-600 AEW