Latest news with #J-15T
India.com
7 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
China's Largest Aircraft Carrier Hits The Sea; J-15T, J-35 Jets To Be Deployed – A Threat From Taiwan To The Indian Ocean?
Beijing: China has moved its most powerful aircraft carrier, the Fujian Type 003, into open waters. This step marks a milestone for China's naval development. The ship was built entirely by Chinese engineers. The launch system on the carrier uses electromagnetic catapults, similar to the technology used by the United States. Only two countries have this capability now: the United States and China. Beijing's state broadcaster, CCTV, released footage of the aircraft carrier at sea. The video showed flight tests involving the J-15T fighter jet. This aircraft is a newer version of the J-15, which itself is based on the Russian Su-33 design. The J-15T, along with other aircraft such as the stealth J-35, may soon be a regular feature on the carrier. The navy plans to test different types of aircraft onboard, including training planes and surveillance aircraft. China has two other carriers already: Liaoning and Shandong. With the Fujian, the total rises to three. Another carrier, the Type 004, is under construction. China wants to have at least six carriers in service by 2035. The Fujian, which displaces around 80,000 tons, is heavier than its predecessors but still lighter than the US Navy's largest carriers. The USS Gerald R. Ford, for instance, displaces over 100,000 tons. The Fujian's design has a few unique features. Its island structure is shaped to reduce radar detection. The deck supports advanced radar and electronic systems. China says the Fujian can carry 50 to 60 fighter jets. This could reduce the time it takes for China to respond in a crisis. India, in contrast, is moving more slowly. It operates two carriers: INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. Plans for a third carrier remain uncertain. Some military leaders question the value of large ships in an age of long-range missiles. Former Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat supported more submarines instead. India is currently working on six submarines under Project 76. The IAC-3 or INS Vishal was once considered the next step for India. But the project faced delays. Costs are high. The technology is complex. India has not so far committed to building it. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh did say in 2024 that a new carrier would be built. But this may refer to replacing an older ship, not adding a third. The Chinese navy is moving in a different direction. Officials say the Fujian could enter full service by the end of 2025. Once that happens, China will usually have two active carriers at sea. The third can rotate for repairs. The Fujian's launch shows how China plans to expand its presence across oceans. The ship is not limited to nearby waters. It could operate across the Indo-Pacific. Future carriers, including the Type 004, may be nuclear-powered. China also plans to use drones, helicopters and early-warning aircraft alongside its fighters. The goal is China wants to build a navy that can operate anywhere in the world. The Fujian is a major step toward that future.
Economic Times
03-08-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
China decodes US tech, Fujian aircraft carrier tests catapult launch of J-15T fighter
China has publicly released the first-ever official footage of flight operations aboard its newest, soon-to-be commissioned aircraft carrier CNS Fujian, marking a watershed moment in the People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) naval modernization—and a clear signal of its ongoing technological catch-up with the United States Navy. The footage, published by Chinese state media just before the 98th anniversary of the PLAN, depicts a J-15T fighter positioned on the Fujian's deck with afterburners engaged and an officer authorizing takeoff. The Fujian carrier's recent successful tests of electromagnetic catapult launches with the domestically modified J-15T fighter demonstrate China's adaptation of advanced US naval technology, specifically the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) that the US pioneered on its latest USS Gerald R. Ford-class carriers. This breakthrough shifts China away from earlier ski-jump assisted launches towards a CATOBAR configuration (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery), enabling heavier aircraft with larger weapons and fuel payloads and faster launch cycles. — ianellisjones (@ianellisjones) The United States Navy's flagship carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), represents the pinnacle of naval aviation technology and remains the world's largest and most advanced aircraft carrier as of 2025. Commissioned in 2017, Gerald R. Ford displaces approximately 100,000 long tons at full load, stretches 337 meters in length, and supports a crew totaling over 4,500 personnel including its air wing. It carries more than 75 aircraft and features the revolutionary Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). In contrast, China's latest carrier, the CNS Fujian (Type 003), displaces over 80,000 tons. While smaller than the Gerald R. Ford, the Fujian represents a transformative leap in Chinese naval aviation capabilities, allowing operation of heavier, more advanced aircraft like the catapult-modified J-15T fighters and future stealth platforms. According to the Congressional Research Service, China's navy surpassed the US in sheer numbers of battle force ships years ago and aims to expand its fleet to nearly 400 ships by 2025 and over 430 by 2030, compared to the US Navy's planned fleet of about 290 ships by 2030. While the US maintains qualitative superiority in areas such as nuclear submarines and global reach, China rapidly closes gaps in surface ship technology, shipbuilding capacity—estimated to be over 200 times larger than the US—and naval aviation capabilities. China's Fujian, launched in mid-2022 and undergoing intensive sea trials since 2024, features three state-of-the-art electromagnetic catapults and will operate an advanced air wing consisting of J-15T fighters, the stealthy J-35, electronic warfare J-15D jets, and KJ-600 airborne early warning aircraft. The carrier displaces between 80,000-85,000 tons, comparable to the US's earlier generation supercarriers. The J-15T jets seen in official footage display reinforced landing gear and launch bar fittings, evidencing the move from ski-jump to catapult launch technology. This leap reflects China's systematic efforts to reverse-engineer and innovate on US naval technologies, tightening the technological gap in key areas of catapult launch systems—previously a uniquely US preserve on nuclear carriers—and enhancing China's ability to sustain higher sortie rates and flexible mission profiles critical for blue-water naval major differences remain. The US Navy leads significantly in nuclear-powered submarines (66 vs 12), a critical factor in strategic deterrence and underwater warfare. The US also retains greater global naval reach with 11 carriers and numerous overseas bases compared to China's three carriers primarily focused on the Indo-Pacific rapidly expanding shipbuilding industry, with far greater capacity than the US's more constrained yards, offers a strategic advantage in sustained wartime ship replacement and fleet expansion. Analysts note that China's newer ships benefit from modern designs and advanced weapons systems, with many vessels launched after 2010, while a majority of US ships onboard are older generations undergoing modernization.
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Time of India
China decodes US tech, Fujian aircraft carrier tests catapult launch of J-15T fighter
China has publicly released the first-ever official footage of flight operations aboard its newest, soon-to-be commissioned aircraft carrier CNS Fujian , marking a watershed moment in the People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) naval modernization—and a clear signal of its ongoing technological catch-up with the United States Navy . The footage, published by Chinese state media just before the 98th anniversary of the PLAN, depicts a J-15T fighter positioned on the Fujian's deck with afterburners engaged and an officer authorizing takeoff. 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This breakthrough shifts China away from earlier ski-jump assisted launches towards a CATOBAR configuration (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery), enabling heavier aircraft with larger weapons and fuel payloads and faster launch cycles. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Duong An Duong Vuong: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo — ianellisjones (@ianellisjones) The United States Navy's flagship carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), represents the pinnacle of naval aviation technology and remains the world's largest and most advanced aircraft carrier as of 2025. Commissioned in 2017, Gerald R. Ford displaces approximately 100,000 long tons at full load, stretches 337 meters in length, and supports a crew totaling over 4,500 personnel including its air wing. It carries more than 75 aircraft and features the revolutionary Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). Live Events In contrast, China's latest carrier, the CNS Fujian (Type 003), displaces over 80,000 tons. While smaller than the Gerald R. Ford, the Fujian represents a transformative leap in Chinese naval aviation capabilities, allowing operation of heavier, more advanced aircraft like the catapult-modified J-15T fighters and future stealth platforms. According to the Congressional Research Service, China's navy surpassed the US in sheer numbers of battle force ships years ago and aims to expand its fleet to nearly 400 ships by 2025 and over 430 by 2030, compared to the US Navy 's planned fleet of about 290 ships by 2030. While the US maintains qualitative superiority in areas such as nuclear submarines and global reach, China rapidly closes gaps in surface ship technology, shipbuilding capacity—estimated to be over 200 times larger than the US—and naval aviation capabilities. China's Fujian, launched in mid-2022 and undergoing intensive sea trials since 2024, features three state-of-the-art electromagnetic catapults and will operate an advanced air wing consisting of J-15T fighters, the stealthy J-35, electronic warfare J-15D jets, and KJ-600 airborne early warning aircraft. The carrier displaces between 80,000-85,000 tons, comparable to the US's earlier generation supercarriers. The J-15T jets seen in official footage display reinforced landing gear and launch bar fittings, evidencing the move from ski-jump to catapult launch technology. This leap reflects China's systematic efforts to reverse-engineer and innovate on US naval technologies, tightening the technological gap in key areas of catapult launch systems—previously a uniquely US preserve on nuclear carriers—and enhancing China's ability to sustain higher sortie rates and flexible mission profiles critical for blue-water naval dominance. However, major differences remain. The US Navy leads significantly in nuclear-powered submarines (66 vs 12), a critical factor in strategic deterrence and underwater warfare. The US also retains greater global naval reach with 11 carriers and numerous overseas bases compared to China's three carriers primarily focused on the Indo-Pacific theater. China's rapidly expanding shipbuilding industry, with far greater capacity than the US's more constrained yards, offers a strategic advantage in sustained wartime ship replacement and fleet expansion. Analysts note that China's newer ships benefit from modern designs and advanced weapons systems, with many vessels launched after 2010, while a majority of US ships onboard are older generations undergoing modernization.
The Star
24-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Rare close-ups signal China's J-35 stealth jets ready for Fujian carrier
Rare close-up images of two PLA Navy J-35 stealth fighters flying in close formation have surfaced online, giving the clearest view yet of China's next-generation carrier-based aircraft. A military observer said the markings and flight characteristics offered the strongest evidence yet that the J-35 had entered production and was approaching operational readiness for deployment aboard China's latest aircraft carrier. Unlike previously circulated ground-based photos, the latest images appear to be air-to-air studies in tight formation. Their clearly visible identification marks suggest the fifth-generation fighter jets have entered initial production, according to former People's Liberation Army instructor Song Zhongping. The images, which first began circulating on China's X-like Weibo at the weekend, show the jets bearing clear 'Chinese navy' markings on their fuselages and 'Flying Shark' insignia on their tails – the strongest visual indication yet of formal naval integration. These markings, along with the official serial numbers '0011' and '0012', suggested the fighters were part of a low-rate initial production run, Song said. 'The Flying Shark insignia confirms the J-35 has joined the navy's carrier aviation force,' he said. 'It indicates the aircraft may have been in active service and is building combat and logistical support capabilities.' Though the latest photos provide the clearest view, the J-35 itself is not an unfamiliar aircraft. Earlier prototypes have been spotted flying alongside J-15 carrier-based and J-20 stealth fighters, as well as early-warning aircraft, during rehearsals for a September 3 military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Earlier this month, a programme by state broadcaster CCTV featuring the J-15T at its production facility clearly showed at least two 'green-primed' J-35 airframes in the background. The green primer layer is a coating used during the aircraft manufacturing process, before final painting and outfitting. The airframes were not blurred – in a departure from a technique frequently used by the PLA to prevent inadvertent exposure of advanced military technologies. Earlier state media reports have also implied that the J-35 is operating in tandem with the J-15T fighter in a high-low capability pairing, moving towards a balanced carrier-based combat system. The J-35 is expected to undergo extensive land-based training as well before being fully deployed aboard China's newest and most advanced carrier. There are widespread expectations that the J-35 will become the main fighter jet aboard the Fujian, China's first carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults designed to launch heavier aircraft with higher payloads. The warship has undergone eight sea trials and is expected to enter service before the end of the year. Military observers commenting on the latest J-35 photos on social media noted that neither aircraft featured traditional nose-mounted airspeed probes or 'pitot tubes'. This typically indicated that the model had successfully completed its prototype and testing phases, and had entered formal production. However, Song said that was not always a definitive indicator. 'Modern airspeed systems no longer require traditional external pitot tubes [for testing]. Sensors can now be embedded internally, improving the fighter's stealth capabilities and aerodynamic efficiency.' He also downplayed online speculation about the significance of the two J-35s flying side by side, saying: 'Flying two aircraft – a lead and a wingman – is the most basic tactical formation. It's standard procedure.' The emergence of the high-definition images of fully painted operational J-35 models marks a significant step forward for the PLA's naval fighter programme. It places China alongside the United States as the only countries operating two distinct fifth-generation stealth fighters, with at least one variant capable of carrier-based operations. For China they are the J-20 land-based and J-35 carrier-capable jets, while the US has the land-based F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II multirole fighters including the carrier-capable F-35C. The carrier-based J-35 and the land-based J-35A for the PLA Air Force both stem from the earlier FC-31 demonstrator but have evolved into specialised platforms that significantly enhance China's military aviation capabilities. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
AllAfrica
13-07-2025
- Business
- AllAfrica
China unveils carrier power – but global reach remains elusive
China has unveiled its stealth carrier jet program, revealing not only cutting-edge warplanes but a bold bid to redefine naval power in the Indo-Pacific. This month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that China publicly revealed the production facilities of its fifth-generation stealth fighter jets for the first time, signaling progress toward deploying these aircraft on its third aircraft carrier. During a broadcast by state-run CCTV, at least two J-35 jets were observed at Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's (SAC) hangar, even though the report focused on the J-15T, an upgraded 4.5-generation carrier-capable fighter. Military analyst Song Zhongping said the J-35s were likely corrosion-resistant, carrier-based variants, marking the first public indication of their mass production. Both aircraft are expected to operate from the Type 003 aircraft carrier Fujian, currently undergoing sea trials and set for commissioning by year-end. Sun Cong, chief J-15 designer, highlighted software-defined functionality as key to faster aircraft development. Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of AVIC, is expanding its facilities, with provincial governor Wang Xinwei inspecting new construction sites this month. The company had earlier announced an 8.6 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion) investment in a 4.2 square kilometer production site over five years. The move underscores China's accelerating naval aviation modernization and ambition to become a 'deep blue-water' navy. China's J-35A and J-15T carrier-based fighters mark a significant step in the People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN's) ability to project power across the Indo-Pacific. However, persistent technological, operational and strategic constraints continue to limit the effectiveness of China's carrier aviation in high-end maritime conflict scenarios. Kevin Kusumoto states in a February 2025 article for the US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) that China's J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighter represents a leap in stealth, electronic warfare, and multi-domain capabilities. He explains that the J-35A, designed for all-domain operations, employs advanced stealth and networked systems to strike enemy aircraft, cruise missiles, and air defenses while maintaining 'one-way transparency' against prior-generation threats. He adds that its modular design supports carrier-based variants intended for deployment aboard the Type 003 Fujian. Although some observers compare it to the F-35, Kusumoto argues that the J-35A reflects China's tactical priorities, citing its unique aerodynamic structure, bomb bay configuration and engine layout. Writing in November 2024 for The War Zone (TWZ), Thomas Newdick describes the J-15T as a substantial upgrade to the PLAN's carrier aviation. He reports that the aircraft incorporates domestically produced WS-10 engines and is a catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR)-compatible for operations aboard Chinese carriers, including the Fujian. He notes that its reinforced landing gear and integration with the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) allow for heavier payloads and higher sortie rates. Newdick also highlights a revised radome housing an active electronically scanned array radar compatible with PL-10 and PL-15 missiles, along with cockpit enhancements that improve pilot situational awareness. He states that these upgrades, combined with domestic engine production and broad compatibility, establish the J-15T as a multirole naval fighter. Jack Burnham adds in a November 2024 article for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) that, alongside the J-20, the J-35A enables China to field two stealth fighter types – a capability previously exclusive to the US. He further notes that an upgraded carrier-based J-15, likely featuring extended range and improved armaments, demonstrates China's ability to refine existing platforms to enhance force projection. At the operational level, Daniel Rice explains in a July 2024 report for the China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) that Chinese state media emphasizes 'split wave' and 'continuous' air operation patterns, allowing sustained presence or saturation attacks to support amphibious assaults and control contested airspace. He says China could employ its carrier battle groups (CVBGs) to project power well beyond its coastline by organizing layered maritime defense zones. These CVBGs, he notes, are structured into inner, middle, and outer defense layers extending up to 400 kilometers from the carrier and integrate submarines, surface combatants, and carrier-based aircraft to defend the formation and strike targets. Keitaro Ushirogata, in his book Global Maritime Strategy 1980-2023, frames China's aircraft carriers as strategic tools in the PLAN's transition from coastal defense to blue-water operations. He notes that China's carriers are designed to support operations in the Western Pacific and beyond, enabling extended-range air operations, sea control, and deterrence missions far from the Chinese mainland. Ushirogata underscores that these vessels are intended not merely as status symbols but as instruments to enhance China's regional influence, protect overseas interests, and potentially challenge US naval dominance in Asia. Yet this ambition is undercut by enduring constraints. Jonathan Caverley, writing in a 2025 article for the Texas National Review (TNR), observes that the PLAN's carriers lack nuclear propulsion and overseas basing, which limits their endurance and reach. He notes that PLAN vessels remain vulnerable to long-range precision strikes from the US and its allies, supported by satellite-based targeting and resilient kill chains. Caverley also warns that China's reliance on contested space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) networks makes its carriers susceptible to disruptions, further reducing their combat effectiveness. Moreover, he states that deficiencies in integrated air defense and anti-submarine warfare capabilities could undermine PLAN carrier survivability in high-intensity engagements. Aina Turillazzi builds on this analysis in a 2024 article for the SAIS Europe Journal of Global Affairs, noting that Fujian's reliance on conventional propulsion demands support vessels for sustained operations and that the carrier has underperformed in EMALS trials compared to US counterparts. She further cites a shortage of carrier-qualified pilots as a critical bottleneck. While she acknowledges progress in underway replenishment and satellite communications, Turillazzi argues that China's power projection remains limited by logistical depth and lack of combat experience. Rather than matching US global reach, she concludes, China's carriers are better suited to influence operations against weaker regional adversaries. China is pairing stealth aircraft with expanding shipbuilding to reshape its naval presence. But despite rapid gains, persistent logistical and operational constraints continue to tether its ambitions to regional waters.
