China’s Fujian Carrier Achieves Milestone with First Catapult-Assisted Takeoffs and Landings of Three Aircraft Types

According to Rokna, citing Xinhua, the Chinese Navy said Monday that carrier-based aircraft J-15T, J-35 and KongJing-600 have successfully completed their inaugural electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing trainings on aircraft carrier, the Fujian.

The success showed that China's first domestically built catapult-equipped aircraft carrier has obtained electromagnetic catapult launch and recovery capabilities, marking another breakthrough in the development of China's aircraft carriers.

J-15T, J-35 and KongJing-600 were showcased during China's massive military parade held on Sept. 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

The trainings verified the sound compatibility of China's fully domestically developed electromagnetic catapult and arresting systems with multiple aircraft types, according to the navy.

This demonstrated that the Fujian has obtained initial full-deck operational capability, paving the way for multiple types of carrier-based aircraft to join the carrier formation, the navy said.

In recent years, the Chinese Navy's carrier-based aviation has accelerated its development, leaping forward from single aircraft to integrated systems, from shore-based to shipborne operations, from ski-jump to catapult launches, and from being able to fly to capable of combat. The navy is steadily advancing toward the goal of becoming a world-class force at sea.

Since its first sea trials in May 2024, the Fujian has carried out a series of maritime tests according to plan, progressing with equipment commissioning and assessments of overall operational stability.