On November 7, 2025, China officially commissioned its third and most advanced aircraft carrier, the CV-18 *Fujian*, in a ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping at a naval base in Sanya. This event marks a major milestone in China's naval modernization, as the *Fujian* is the nation's first independently designed and built carrier. Most significantly, it features an advanced electromagnetic catapult (EMALS) system, allowing it to launch heavier, more capable aircraft like the J-35 stealth fighter and KJ-600 airborne early warning plane—a capability previously exclusive to U.S. carriers.

The Technological Leap: CATOBAR

The *Fujian* marks China's move from STOBAR (Short Take-Off) to CATOBAR (Catapult-Assisted Take-Off), a technology previously only used on U.S. carriers. This is the single most important upgrade.

China's Carrier Evolution

This comparison highlights the *Fujian's* significant increase in size and air wing capacity over its predecessors. The move to a catapult system is the primary driver for this expanded capability.

A Diverse, Modern Air Wing

The CATOBAR system allows the *Fujian* to operate a mixed wing of stealth fighters, multirole jets, and critical support aircraft. The chart shows a hypothetical composition, while the list highlights the key platforms enabled by the new technology.

Path to Commission