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The world’s most populous nation has launched its most powerful warship yet, and it’s already being compared to America’s best. China officially commissioned its newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian (Type 003), marking a major milestone for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and a defining moment in the global balance of maritime power. Equipped with cutting-edge electromagnetic catapults, the Fujian is the first non-American carrier to feature this technology. The same type of system powers flight operations onboard the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class carriers. Now that China is firmly standing in the era of electromagnetic launches, the race for carrier dominance between Beijing and Washington is intensifying. A leap into the future The Fujian was initially launched in June 2022 and commissioned on November 5, 2025. It was built at Shanghai’s Jiangnan Shipyard and named after the eastern Chinese province facing Taiwan. With a displacement of roughly 80,000 tons, the Fujian is China’s largest carrier to date. It’s significantly larger than both the Liaoning and Shandong, its first two carriers, which rely on older “ski-jump” flight decks. Instead, the Fujian employs a Catapult-Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) system — a first for the Chinese navy. Even more significantly, China skipped the steam-powered catapult phase entirely. Like the U.S. Navy’s Ford-class supercarriers, the Fujian uses an advanced Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), which enables smoother, more efficient takeoffs for heavier aircraft with larger fuel and payload capacities. According to Chinese military expert Zhang Xuefeng, the technology represents a leap in operational flexibility. “The core of an aircraft carrier’s combat power is the carrier-based aircraft,” Zhang told Chinese media. “To achieve combat capability, it must first have a full complement of carrier-based aircraft.” The air wing: Power and potential The Fujian’s future air wing is expected to include between 60 and 75, according to analysis from Army Recognition. That would bring it close to the operational capacity of U.S. carriers, which typically field between 70 and 90 aircraft. The ship’s mix will likely include the J-15T “Flying Shark,” which is an upgraded, catapult-capable version of China’s existing J-15 fighter; the J-35, a stealth, fifth-generation twin-engine fighter; and the KJ-600, the country’s first carrier-based fixed-wing early warning aircraft. Military commentator Wei Dongxu told Reuters the Fujian’s design provides “a larger flight deck, simultaneous launch and recovery systems, and advanced aircraft, enabling strong combat capabilities.” The ship’s smaller island structure frees up more space for flight operations, while its electromagnetic catapults allow it to launch and recover planes at the same time — a major efficiency improvement over its predecessors. The KJ-600, which features foldable wings and a multi-band radar system, is considered a game-changer for China’s naval aviation. Wei described it as both the “eyes” and “brain” of the fleet — capable of extending detection ranges and coordinating strikes across the battle group. Still, analysts caution that many of these systems remain under testing. The J-35 has yet to complete carrier qualification, and the KJ-600 has not reached full operational readiness. As noted by Army Recognition, the Fujian is entering “a critical testing and integration phase” before it can achieve full combat capability. Fujian vs. Ford: Comparing two maritime giants The Fujian’s debut immediately drew comparisons with the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the world’s largest, most advanced aircraft carrier and the benchmark for naval power. At full load, the Ford displaces around 100,000 tons — about 20 percent larger than Fujian — and is powered by two A1B nuclear reactors. That means the Ford has virtually unlimited range. It can deploy up to 90 aircraft and support high-tempo flight operations of up to 160 sorties per day. By contrast, the Fujian is conventionally powered. The most likely options are through gas turbines or diesel-electric systems, limiting its endurance to roughly 90–100 days before refueling. Analysts say that makes the Chinese carrier a regional power projection tool, while the Ford remains a global one. In terms of systems, the Ford boasts a dual-band radar and a fully integrated combat network capable of real-time data sharing across the fleet. The Fujian carries dual Type 346A AESA radars, similar to those on China’s Type 055 destroyers, along with HQ-10 short-range missiles and Type 1130 close-in weapons systems. These are modern by Chinese standards, but untested in real-world carrier strike operations. A different kind of strategy While both carriers showcase next-generation technology, they embody very different naval philosophies. The Ford reflects America’s global, nuclear-powered, expeditionary model — a model honed after decades of carrier aviation and combat experience. On the flip side, the Fujian represents China’s ambition for rapid modernization, with the immediate goal of extending its regional influence and, eventually, achieving global reach. “The highest level of the aircraft carrier today is nuclear-powered and equipped with electromagnetic catapults,” said Zhang Xuefeng, the Chinese military affairs expert. “The next step will inevitably be to realize the construction of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.” Experts agree that such a vessel is likely already in the planning stages. A nuclear-powered carrier would allow China to operate for extended periods far from home waters — a crucial step toward matching U.S. naval endurance. China: The US pacing challenge According to China Power, the Fujian took nearly nine years from the start of construction to commissioning — longer than the Shandong’s six-year timeline but far more complex in scope and capability. The addition of electromagnetic launch systems, stealth-capable aircraft, and fixed-wing early warning platforms marks a dramatic leap forward for the PLAN. Yet, experts say the U.S. still holds a decisive lead in training, logistics, and operational readiness. The U.S. Navy currently operates 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and nine amphibious assault ships, many of which are capable of launching F-35B stealth fighters. China now has three carriers — Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian — but only the newest is CATOBAR-capable. Also, while advancements in its stealth, early warning, and precision strike technologies are advancing, experts say it’s more than a numbers game. Advanced training, proven logistics, and sound doctrine are critical to the success of any maritime force, and experts say the U.S. continues to hold an advantage in these areas. The next frontier for sea power For Beijing, the Fujian is more than just a ship — it’s a statement of intent. The carrier’s commissioning marks China’s entry into a new era of naval aviation and sets the stage for an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region. As one analyst put it, the competition is “no longer hypothetical.” The matchup between Fujian and Ford is now a real-world equation in strategic balance. It’s one that holds the power to shape the future of maritime operations for decades to come. The post China’s Fujian carrier enters service, new era in naval power begins appeared first on Straight Arrow News.
