China Teases First Catapult Launches From Its New Carrier Fujian
Chinese state media outlets have released previously unseen, but also undated videos and pictures showing flight operations aboard Fujian this week in the lead up to today's marking of the 98th anniversary of the founding of the PLA. Fujian has been conducting sea trials since May 2024 and is reportedly expected to enter operational service by the end of this year.
First-ever official footage of flight operations aboard China's newest, soon-to-be commissioned aircraft carrier, CNS Fujian (18)On the eve of the PLA's 98th anniversary, PRC media released video showcasing another major milestone: integration tests between the electromagnetic… pic.twitter.com/wIrU4hxFi6
— Ian Ellis (@ianellisjones) July 31, 2025
Chinese authorities have yet to show aircraft launching from or recovering aboard Fujian, but the newly released imagery notably includes a view of a Shenyang J-15T single-seat carrier-based fighter at least in position for a catapult launch with its afterburners engaged.
Another clip shows the shadow being cast on Fujian's deck from a J-15-series fighter flying low over or at least very near the ship. There are no clear indications, one or the other, that the jet in question took off from and/or landed on Fujian.
The J-15 family is derived from the Soviet-era Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker, with the T version being specifically developed for catapult launch. Earlier variants of the J-15, as well as the Su-33, were designed for use on short takeoff, but assisted recovery (STOBAR) carriers with ski jumps rather than catapults.
The recently released official imagery also includes a look at members of Fujian's crew conducting a so-called Foreign Object Debris (FOD) walk. This is a routine proactive safety measure taken on carriers and land airfields to check for potentially small, but serious hazards ahead of flight operations.
A Harbin Z-9 helicopter, a license-produced variant of the Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) AS365 Dauphin, is also seen in one of the video clips that have been released. Z-9s are also part of the air wings found on China's STOBAR carriers, including for use as plane guards while fixed-wing aircraft are launching and recovering.
It's also worth noting here that it's unclear whether the PLAN could have launched a J-15T from Fujian's deck without the help of the ship's catapults, possibly by using a jet with a light fuel load and/or that is otherwise stripped down, and a long takeoff run. In such a scenario, the aircraft would also have to be craned off afterward.
Still, it seems more likely that Fujian is now launching and recovering fixed-wing aircraft, or at least is getting very close to doing so, as part of its ongoing trials. Basic function testing of the carrier's electromagnetically-powered catapults first began in 2023 while the ship was still being fitted out. Chinese state media has also released other imagery in the past showing members of the carrier's crew at least going through the motions of a catapult launch.
Un passager d'un vol commercial survolant près du chantier naval Changxing Jiangnan à Shanghai, où le troisième porte-avions chinois est actuellement en construction, a pu filmer ce qui semble être un test de catapultage dans le bassin. pic.twitter.com/8OhWG0Xwqc
— East Pendulum (@HenriKenhmann) November 26, 2023
As China's first CATOBAR carrier, Fujian has been a source of great interest, in general, for years now. With Fujian, the PLAN is also notably going straight to electromagnetic catapults without ever operating a carrier that uses steam-powered ones. The U.S. Navy's supercarrier USS Gerald R. Ford was the first carrier ever to get an aircraft into the air using what is also referred to as an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS). France and India are also now moving to field EMALS-equipped carriers, and the United Kingdom may also follow suit.
Electromagnetic catapults offer the advantage of being able to be more finely tuned to very different aircraft types, particularly ones at the smaller and lighter end of the spectrum. EMALS, which are also less complicated mechanically than their predecessors, offer lower reset times that can help increase sortie generation rate. At the same time, the electromagnetic catapults on USS Gerald R. Ford did prove to be temperamental new technology, causing issues for years before the U.S. Navy said it was able to mitigate them.
The overall capabilities that EMALS offer are particularly relevant for launching uncrewed platforms. The PLAN is actively pursuing advanced uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) and other types of drones that can be launched from carriers and big deck amphibious warfare ships. Fujian's full air wing is set to also include new J-35 naval stealth fighters and KJ-600 airborne early warning and control aircraft.
Oh man,
what a start to the day!
I think this is actually the very best photo of a naval J-35 published so far and here quite clearly the prototypes 3501 (with Pitot) & 3506.(Image via @齐天的孙猴子 from Weibo) pic.twitter.com/lvrzSGcMvb
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) June 19, 2025
A great KJ-600 image for the morning … pic.twitter.com/LdcqHPmNGR
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) June 20, 2025
Imagery of a new jet trainer, which looks to be based on the existing JL-10 and could be designed with carrier training in mind, has also emerged today. Conducting routine CATOBAR operations from Fujian will also require the PLAN to set up a steady pipeline for naval aviators qualified to do so.
Here a better one via Huitong's CMA-Blog@HarpiaP pic.twitter.com/OaklmeU6DK
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) August 1, 2025
More broadly speaking, Fujian reflects a major modernization push by the PLAN dating back to the 1990s, with particular emphasis on supporting higher-end region missions, such as intervention against Taiwan, as well as longer-range blue water operations in the Pacific and beyond. China is reportedly already working on a new CATOBAR carrier, commonly referred to as the Type 004, which may also be nuclear-powered. Renderings that have emerged in the past related to that design show distinct similarities to the U.S. Navy's Ford class and France's future New Generation Aircraft Carrier, both of which are nuclear-powered.
PLAN modernization has not been limited to carriers, but also includes a still-growing array of new and ever-more advanced surface combatants, amphibious warfare ships, and more. China has been particularly prolific when it comes to the relatively rapid expansion of its amphibious fleets. This includes a super-sized big deck amphibious assault ship named Sichuan, also referred to as the Type 076, which is unlike any other such vessel in service anywhere else in the world. It notably has its own single electromagnetic catapult along one side of the forward end of the flight deck. Sichuan has also been a major feature in media related to the 98th anniversary of the PLA's founding.
Soldiers Chorus Navy Band Performance • Saluting & Celebrating PLA 98 Years of Founding Anniversary | Type 076 'Sichuan' 51 https://t.co/AO3uz6Xeaspic.twitter.com/6no3mvJ8li
— David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) August 1, 2025
Some new shots of Type 076 LHA 51 Sichuan, courtesy of a PLA media event (no relation to fitting out/trials). CODAG propulsion visible via funnels. EMALS shelter remains in place. Via "ACuriousPLAFan"/"by78"/SDF. pic.twitter.com/GTw8xDugld
— Alex Luck (@AlexLuck9) August 1, 2025
Chinese state media this week has also highlighted an example of the Type 075 amphibious assault ship, as well as shown imagery of a significant portion of all of the PLAN's major amphibious warships sailing in formation together. The PLAN's amphibious capabilities are also growing further now with new jack-up barges that can be linked together to help get ground forces ashore, as you can read more about here.
#PLAN The newest Type-075 LHD (34) is now called 'Hubei'. Today is August 1st, 八一, the PLA's 98th Anniversary – Expect many announcements (or reveals) pic.twitter.com/XEScsqg6VF
— Iron Lady (@nuwangzi) August 1, 2025
Four Type 071 LPD and two Type 075 LHD on a joint cruise. Coincidentally or not exactly half of each types overall numbers active in the PLAN fleet. Via "by78"/SDF. pic.twitter.com/kDaK1E4JiP
— Alex Luck (@AlexLuck9) August 1, 2025
1/x New lengthy & detailed footage (2nd & 3rd videos) of the
Chinese Shuiqiao-type landing barges (self-propelled amphibious landing platform utility vessels) during some trials with civilian cars(via wb/齐天的孙猴子) pic.twitter.com/ajphn4m0mu
— Jesus Roman (@jesusfroman) June 15, 2025
This year's anniversary of the PLA's founding comes amid new geopolitical friction with the United States, especially over tariffs and other trade issues. In addition, there continues to be ominous warnings about PLA efforts to at least get to a place where it would be confident of succeeding in an armed intervention against Taiwan, potentially as soon as 2027.
'The [Taiwanese] population need[s] to not be naive like in the past,' Wu Chihchung, Taiwan's deputy foreign minister, said in an interview with Sky News in the United Kingdom that was broadcast today. 'China is preparing to invade Taiwan.'
If nothing else, there are growing signs that China's first catapult-equipped carrier Fujian is getting ever closer to entering operational service.
Contact the author: joe@twz.com
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