China's Ambitious Naval Expansion: The Launch of the Fujian Aircraft Carrier

China's Naval Advancements with the Fujian Carrier

Beijing: China is set to activate its third aircraft carrier, the 'Fujian', this year after nearly three years of extensive sea trials, marking a significant milestone for the Chinese navy as it prepares to operate three carrier groups, according to reports from state media.

The Fujian, touted as China's most sophisticated aircraft carrier, features an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) akin to that of the USS Gerald R. Ford, and was launched in 2024. It has successfully completed over 100 days of sea trials.

With a displacement exceeding 80,000 tons, the Fujian can carry a diverse array of carrier-based aircraft, including fighter jets, early warning systems, anti-submarine planes, and drones. This development signifies a new chapter for China as it enters the era of operating three aircraft carriers, as reported by state-run CCTV.

Wei Dongxu, a military analyst, noted that the Fujian has shown consistent progress during its trials and is anticipated to be commissioned within the current year.

Currently, China operates two aircraft carriers: the Liaoning, a refurbished Soviet-era vessel commissioned in 2012, and the Shandong, which is an indigenous carrier that entered service in 2019.

Before its official commissioning, the Fujian participated in military exercises alongside the Shandong north of the Philippines, while the Liaoning conducted drills in Japan's exclusive economic zone, prompting protests from Tokyo.

Chinese media indicates that the nation aims to possess four to five aircraft carriers, including a nuclear-powered variant, to enhance its naval capabilities as it seeks to extend its influence in regions like the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and the Indian Ocean.

The Fujian is distinguished as the first aircraft carrier fully developed and constructed domestically with EMALS technology, while the other two carriers utilize ski-jump take-off systems. The Fujian is designed with a flat-top flight deck.

In parallel, China is also working on a new fighter jet intended for deployment on its carrier groups.

Earlier this year, President Xi Jinping issued directives to revamp military protocols aimed at transforming the armed forces into a world-class entity, emphasizing combat readiness amid escalating tensions with the US and regional neighbors over Taiwan.

On Monday, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Yearbook 2025 reported that China, which possesses 600 nuclear warheads, is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal, reportedly adding 100 warheads annually to align with the stockpiles of the US and Russia.