China Boosts Projection Capabilities with Electromagnetic Catapult Tests on Fujian Aircraft Carrier.

According to information published by Global Times on May 25, 2025, China’s next-generation aircraft carrier Fujian has begun its eighth sea trial, marking a crucial phase in the integration of electromagnetic catapult technology. This aircraft carrier, the third in China’s fleet and the most advanced to date, is the first to be equipped with this innovative launch system, designed to enhance the operational capacity and efficiency of its embarked aircraft. The sea trials, which began in May 2024, are intensifying as indications such as navigation restriction notices in the Yangtze River estuary suggest an acceleration of the vessel’s commissioning schedule.
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The Fujian (Type 003) is distinguished by its centrally located pyramid-shaped island, which houses the ship’s radar, AESA sensors, and other key systems, designed to reduce its radar cross-section, aligning with U.S. Navy standards (Picture source: Chinese MoD)

Launched in June 2022 from the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, the Fujian is presented as the largest conventionally powered warship ever built, with a displacement exceeding 80,000 tons. According to Global Times, it is designed to significantly enhance China’s naval capabilities, both in coastal defense and long-range projection operations. Unlike China’s previous aircraft carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, which feature ski-jump ramps, the Fujian integrates electromagnetic catapults similar to those on the U.S. Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford, the only other ship to use this technology to date. This system allows for the launch of heavier aircraft with increased sortie rates, while maintaining energy efficiency and flexible launch capabilities for a wide variety of aircraft.

The Fujian (Type 003) is also distinguished by its centrally located pyramid-shaped island, which houses the ship’s radar, AESA sensors, and other key systems, designed to reduce its radar cross-section, aligning with U.S. Navy standards. It is powered by a hybrid gas-diesel and electric propulsion system, which provides the necessary energy for its three electromagnetic catapults. The flight deck also features two aircraft lifts, four arrestor wires, five helicopter landing spots, and a defensive system that includes four close-in weapon systems (CIWS) and four missile-based point defense systems comparable to the U.S. Navy’s SeaRAM. Lateral areas suggest the future integration of directed energy weapons, possibly acoustic. In terms of airwing capacity, the Fujian is expected to carry between 50 and 60 aircraft, including J-15 fighters, KJ-600 airborne early warning aircraft, and potentially next-generation J-35 stealth fighters.

Recent trials have involved flights of the J-35 stealth fighter, designed for carrier operations. While it has not been confirmed whether these aircraft were launched via Fujian's catapults, markings on the deck suggest that "touch-and-go" landings have been conducted. The carrier is also expected to accommodate fixed-wing aircraft like the KJ-600, an advanced airborne early warning aircraft, which would enhance the ship’s capabilities in early detection, tactical coordination, and air superiority.

Chinese military experts, quoted by Global Times, point out that the introduction of this technology requires a longer testing phase than the previous Chinese carriers, which underwent nine and ten sea trials, respectively, before their commissioning. Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, confirmed that these trials are part of the normal development program for the Fujian, without revealing specific details.

In addition to Fujian, the report also mentions the operations of the Shandong, based in Sanya in Hainan Province, which has reportedly pushed back foreign aircraft carriers operating in the South China Sea, although the specific nationalities and dates were not disclosed. These exercises take place within a context of growing rivalry with U.S. naval forces, which frequently conduct maneuvers in the region, sometimes alongside allies.

With the integration of new naval platforms, nuclear-powered submarines, 10,000-ton destroyers, amphibious assault ships, and next-generation embarked aircraft, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is rapidly transforming into a modern maritime force. The commissioning of the Fujian will represent a significant strategic advancement for Beijing, consolidating its projection and intervention capabilities on both regional and potentially global scales. The development of the future Type 004 aircraft carrier, expected to be a nuclear-powered vessel displacing over 100,000 tons, reflects China’s ambition to match the U.S. Navy’s naval aviation power and expand its presence into the central waters of the Pacific.