China launches Fujian into service, becoming second nation with Electromagnetic catapult carrier tech
- MM24 News Desk
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, officially entered service, marking a historic moment for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy). With a displacement of over 80,000 tonnes, the Fujian is the world’s largest conventionally powered warship and China’s first to feature electromagnetic catapults, a technology previously exclusive to the United States. President Xi Jinping personally attended the commissioning ceremony in Sanya, Hainan, underscoring the ship’s strategic significance.
The Fujian, bearing hull number 18, represents a leap forward for Chinese naval capabilities. According to Xinhua, the ship was launched in June 2022 and entered active service after 40 months of development and testing. President Xi Jinping inspected the vessel, visited the bridge, and observed flight operations, even pressing the catapult control to test an empty launcher.
“As China’s first aircraft carrier with a flat deck and utilising numerous advanced technologies, including electromagnetic catapults, electromagnetic arresting gear, and an all-electric propulsion system, the delivery speed is remarkably fast,” stated military commentator Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor.
Unlike China’s previous carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, which rely on conventional ski-jump decks, the Fujian’s electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) allow aircraft to launch more frequently, carry heavier payloads, and operate at higher speeds. This advancement enables fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters to undertake longer missions with greater fuel and armament capacity, significantly expanding operational reach.
Zhou Bo, a retired PLA senior colonel and senior fellow at Tsinghua University’s Centre for International Security and Strategy, highlighted that “With the Fujian carrier’s electromagnetic catapults, its aircraft can carry more fuel and armaments to engage the enemy,” a capability the Liaoning and Shandong lack.
During the commissioning ceremony, President Xi was briefed on the performance of the J-35 stealth fighter, J-15T, and KJ-600 airborne early warning aircraft, all of which successfully completed catapult launches and arrested landings during sea trials in September.
The J-35 is notable as the world’s second carrier-based stealth fighter, following the US F-35 series. “Entering active service is just a starting point. Long-term training and adaptation are necessary to achieve initial operational readiness,” said Song Zhongping, emphasizing that operational experience will define the Fujian’s true effectiveness.
The Fujian’s entry into service places China as only the second country after the United States to field carriers with electromagnetic catapult technology. While US President Donald Trump has criticized EMALS as costly and difficult to maintain, China employs a medium-voltage DC system, contrasting with the US’s medium-voltage AC technology, noted Song Zhongping. This distinction may allow China to maintain a technological edge, particularly as the PLA Navy aims to expand its carrier fleet to six vessels by 2035, according to analysts cited by Xinhua.
The commissioning coincides with growing regional tensions and demonstrates China’s ambition to enhance its naval presence in the Western Pacific and the Taiwan Strait. The Fujian’s ability to integrate carrier-based early warning aircraft, stealth fighters, and anti-submarine helicopters such as the Z-20F is expected to substantially increase the PLA Navy’s strike range and fleet-wide detection capabilities. Satellite imagery even suggests construction may already be underway on China’s fourth aircraft carrier, signaling a long-term expansion strategy.
“The Fujian’s rapid delivery, despite extensive testing and advanced systems, marks a major leap in China’s naval operational capabilities,” concluded Zhou Bo, noting that the ship’s advanced launch system, fuel capacity, and armament capability significantly enhance China’s power projection in key maritime regions.