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China’s Fujian Carrier Demonstrates EMALS Launches and Arrested Landings in New Footage

Official footage underscores a step toward commissioning, not final operational readiness.

In these photos provided by the Chinese navy on September 22, 2025, a KJ-600 aircraft (top) and J-15T and J-35 fighter jets (bottom left and right) take off from the aircraft carrier CNS Fujian at an undisclosed sea location.
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Overview

  • State media released photos and a nearly nine‑minute video showing J-15T and J-35 fighters and the KJ-600 AEW aircraft launching via electromagnetic catapults and recovering aboard Fujian.
  • The PLA said the trials proved compatibility of the carrier’s EMALS and arresting gear with multiple aircraft types and declared preliminary full‑deck operational capability.
  • The footage was published on official PLA channels on September 22 and was described as recorded before the early‑September military parade, with no exact trial dates provided.
  • Fujian remains in advanced sea trials and has not been commissioned, having recently transited the Taiwan Strait to conduct testing in the South China Sea.
  • Analysts note the milestone expands China’s ability to operate heavier fixed‑wing support aircraft and extend reach, but they stress requirements such as sustained night ops, high sortie rates and extended deployments before a combat‑ready air wing is realized.