CV-18 FUJIAN
A New Era for Naval Aviation
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.
Displacement
80,000+
tonsLength
~316
metersEst. Air Wing
50-60+
aircraftThe 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.
STOBAR (Ski-Jump)
Used on CV-16 Liaoning & CV-17 Shandong
- Relies on a "ski-jump" ramp to help aircraft take off.
- LIMIT: Cannot launch heavy support aircraft (like AEW&C).
- LIMIT: Fighters must reduce fuel and weapon load to get airborne.
- LIMIT: Slower and less efficient launch rate.
CATOBAR (Catapult)
New on CV-18 Fujian (3x EMALS)
- Uses three powerful Electromagnetic Catapults (EMALS).
- BENEFIT: Can launch heavy aircraft like the KJ-600 "flying eye".
- BENEFIT: Allows fighters to launch with maximum fuel and weapons.
- BENEFIT: Enables a much higher and more rapid sortie rate.
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.
Displacement (Tons)
Estimated Air Wing
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.
Estimated Composition
Key Platforms
-
J-35
Shenyang J-35
5th-Gen Stealth Fighter (China's F-35 equivalent)
-
J-15T
Shenyang J-15T
Catapult-capable 4.5-Gen Multirole Fighter
-
KJ-600
Xi'an KJ-600
AEW&C "Flying Eye" - The Fleet's Game Changer
-
Z-20
Harbin Z-20
Utility & Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopter
Path to Commission
2022
June 17, 2022
Launched at Jiangnan Shipyard
2024
May 1, 2024
Commenced First Sea Trial
2025
September 2025
First Catapult Tests Confirmed (J-35, KJ-600)
2025
November 2025
Commissioned into PLAN Service