Explainer: Why China's New 'Supercarrier,' the Fujian, Is a Massive Leap Forward

China's new supercarrier, Fujian, is a game-changer. Its EMALS catapults redefine naval power, challenging the US & reshaping maritime strategy.

New Delhi: The commissioning of the Fujian (福建舰) in November 2025 is a landmark moment for China's military. It's the nation's third aircraft carrier, but it's not just another ship—it represents a complete technological jump that fundamentally changes the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)’s capabilities.

Unlike its predecessors, the Fujian is China's first "supercarrier," featuring a flat deck and an advanced catapult launch system. This single change puts China in an exclusive club, ending decades of reliance on "ski-jump" ramps and signaling a new era of naval power.

Here’s a breakdown of what the Fujian is, why its technology is a game-changer, and what it means for global security.

Aerial view of the Chinese Type 003 aircraft carrier Fujian (hull number 18) sailing at sea during sunset, showcasing its flat flight deck, EMALS catapult tracks, and various aircraft including J-15 fighters and a KJ-600 AEW&C aircraft, with a Chinese flag on the stern. Image: The Indian Hawk.

The 'Ski-Jump' vs. The Catapult: The Key Difference

To understand the Fujian, you must first understand the limitations of China's first two carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong.

• The 'Ski-Jump' (Old Tech): Both older carriers use a STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) system, easily identified by the upward-curving ramp at the front. This "ski-jump" helps planes get airborne.
• The Problem: A ski-jump launch relies entirely on the plane's own engine power. This means aircraft cannot take off with their maximum fuel and weapons load, severely limiting their range and combat power. It also means heavier, non-fighter aircraft—like a large "AWACS" surveillance plane—cannot be launched at all.

This is where the Fujian (a Type 003 carrier) changes everything.

Infographic comparing China's older Liaoning/Shandong ski-jump carriers (STOBAR) with the new Fujian supercarrier (CATOBAR), highlighting differences in aircraft launch capabilities, fuel/weapons load, and ability to launch heavy AEW&C aircraft like the KJ-600 with EMALS catapults.

• The Catapult (New Tech): The Fujian is China's first CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) carrier. It has a flat deck and three powerful electromagnetic catapults (EMALS).
• The Advantage: This system actively throws aircraft off the deck at high speed. This allows planes to launch with a full load of fuel and weapons. It also, crucially, allows the Fujian to launch a new, heavier class of support aircraft, transforming the carrier's effectiveness.

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By the Numbers: Inside the Fujian

The Fujian is a conventionally powered (non-nuclear) supercarrier, one of the largest warships in the world.

Fujian (Type 003) Specifications
Carrier Class	Type 003
Launch Date	June 17, 2022
Commissioned	November 2025
Displacement	~80,000–85,000 tons
Length	316 meters (1,037 feet)
Propulsion	Conventional Steam Turbines & Diesel Generators
Power System	Medium-Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) Grid
Launch Tech	3x Electromagnetic Catapults (EMALS)
Aircraft Wing	≥40 fixed-wing, 12+ helicopters
Key Aircraft	J-15T/D, J-35 Stealth Fighter, KJ-600 AEW&C
Strategic Role	Power projection, blue-water operations

 

The EMALS 'Game-Changer'

The most significant piece of technology is the EMALS (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System). Before this, only the US Navy's newest Ford-class carriers had an operational EMALS. By successfully engineering this complex system, China has leapfrogged the steam-catapult technology used by the US for over 50 years. This system provides a smoother, more powerful launch and is more efficient than older steam-based catapults.

 Also read - IAC Vikrant: India's First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, Completes 4th Phase of Sea Trials

A More Powerful Punch: The Fujian's Air Wing

The catapult system is only as good as the planes it can launch. The Fujian's air wing is a massive upgrade, giving the PLAN capabilities it has never had before.

Infographic detailing the advanced air wing of China's Fujian aircraft carrier, including the J-35 stealth fighter, J-15T multirole fighter, KJ-600 AEW&C early warning aircraft, and HZ-20 ASW helicopter, emphasizing catapult launch capabilities and strategic impact.

• The 'Eyes' (KJ-600): This is arguably the most important new aircraft. The KJ-600 is a "flying radar" plane (AEW&C), similar to the American E-2 Hawkeye. It can fly high above the carrier group, detecting enemy ships, missiles, and aircraft from hundreds of miles away, acting as the fleet's eyes and ears. Ski-jump carriers cannot launch this plane.
• The 'Fist' (J-35): This is China's new 5th-generation stealth fighter, designed to compete with the US F-35C. Its stealth capabilities make it far more survivable and lethal than the older J-15s.
• The 'Workhorses' (J-15T/D): These are upgraded versions of China's existing J-15 carrier fighter, now modified for catapult launches and electronic warfare (J-15D).

Also read - INS Viraat: Everything You Need to Know About India's Longest-Serving Warship

 

Why It Matters: Strategy and Symbolism

The Fujian is far more than just a military asset; it's a potent symbol of China's strategic ambition.

1. A True 'Blue-Water' Navy: This carrier enables China to create a 'blue-water' navy—one that can project sustained military power far from its own shores and across the world's oceans, protecting trade routes and national interests.
2. The Taiwan Factor: The carrier is named after the coastal province of Fujian, which sits directly across the strait from Taiwan. This naming is a clear and potent symbolic message of Beijing's focus and military pressure on the region.
3. Challenging US Dominance: The Fujian brings China's naval technology into direct competition with the United States. While the US still operates 11 nuclear-powered supercarriers, the Fujian dramatically narrows the technological gap.
4. Regional Arms Race: The carrier's debut has spurred regional rivals. Countries like Japan and India are accelerating their own carrier programs and strengthening security partnerships to counter China's growing naval might.

 

The Road to Commissioning

The Fujian was a massive national project, built at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai.

• June 17, 2022: The carrier was officially launched.
• April 2023: Initial power and mooring tests began.
• May 2024: The Fujian embarked on its first full sea trials.
• 2024-2025: The ship underwent nine separate sea trials to test its propulsion, navigation, and, most critically, its electromagnetic catapults with mock aircraft launches.
• September 2025: The PLAN declared initial full-deck operational capability.
• November 2025: The Fujian was formally commissioned into active service at a major ceremony in Sanya, attended by President Xi Jinping.

 Also read - From MiG-19 With Lift Fans To J-18: China’s VTOL Fighter Jet Problem

The Full Picture: What Are Its Limitations?

Despite its advancements, the Fujian is not without limitations.

1. Conventional Power: Unlike US supercarriers, which are all nuclear-powered, the Fujian runs on conventional steam turbines. This means it has a much shorter range and endurance and must be refueled at sea or return to port, limiting its global persistence.
2. The Experience Gap: The US Navy has been operating catapult-based carrier battle groups for over 70 years. The PLAN has zero experience. Developing the complex "software"—the doctrines, the trained pilots, the flight deck crews, and the battle group coordination—will take many years, if not decades, to master.

 

The Bottom Line

The Fujian is more than just a new ship. It's a statement of ambition and a demonstration of new, top-tier capability. It provides China with a powerful tool for projecting force and challenging the naval balance of power, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.

While China still has a long way to go to match the US Navy's global scale and operational experience, the commissioning of the Fujian proves that the technological gap has undeniably and rapidly narrowed.