Kuznetsov Class (and variants)

Latest in Kuznetsov Class (and variants)

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has released photos showing two of its aircraft carriers operating simultaneously for the first time beyond the so-called First Island Chain in the western Pacific.

Two Chinese Aircraft Carriers Are Operating Beyond The First Island Chain For The First Time Two Chinese Aircraft Carriers Are Operating Beyond The First Island Chain For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 10, 2025

China’s full-size aircraft carrier test facility, a key part of the country’s path toward establishing a carrier fleet and associated air wings, has been modified once again. The latest reworking suggests that the aircraft carrier mockup is now intended to represent a layout similar to the U.S. Navy’s Ford class. This may well point to the configuration of China’s next homegrown carrier design, or at least one of the configurations now under study.

China’s Giant Land-Based Carrier Mockup Grows In Size, Now Resembles Ford Class China’s Giant Land-Based Carrier Mockup Grows In Size, Now Resembles Ford Class

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 16, 2025

We may have just gotten our first sight of China’s next-generation aircraft carrier, generally referred to as the Type 004. Construction work at a shipyard in Dalian, in China’s Liaoning province, reveals a module that is consistent with an aircraft carrier — which would be China’s fourth — although there remain many questions about the precise nature of the object.

Structure At Chinese Shipyard May Point To China’s Next Aircraft Carrier’s Capabilities Structure At Chinese Shipyard May Point To China’s Next Aircraft Carrier’s Capabilities

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 13, 2025

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, or PLAN has for the first time conducted dual-carrier operations in the South China Sea. The drills, involving the country’s first two in-service carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, as well as at least 11 other vessels, also showcased the PLAN’s fast-growing air wing, with a flyby conducted by a dozen J-15 carrier-based multirole fighters. While clearly engineered for public consumption, the photo opportunity also points to the very rapid progress made by the PLAN in developing its aircraft carrier and wider blue-water capabilities.

Two New Versions Of China’s J-15 Carrier Fighter Now Appear To Be Operational Two New Versions Of China’s J-15 Carrier Fighter Now Appear To Be Operational

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 31, 2024

China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, arrives in Hong Kong waters on July 7, 2017.

All Three Chinese Aircraft Carriers Were At Sea For The First Time All Three Chinese Aircraft Carriers Were At Sea For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 23, 2024

China’s latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, appears poised to leave port to begin its first at-sea trials. The development comes soon after five aircraft mockups appeared on the deck of the flattop, as you can read about here. Once the Fujian goes to sea, it will mark a hugely important step in the development of China’s naval aviation, with the carrier being the first of its kind to be fully locally designed and also its first to launch aircraft via catapults rather than by a ‘ski jump’ takeoff ramp.

China’s New Aircraft Carrier Pulls Away From Its Pier Ahead Of Sea Trials China’s New Aircraft Carrier Pulls Away From Its Pier Ahead Of Sea Trials

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 29, 2024

Mockups seen on the deck of the Chinese carrier Fujian

Deck Of China’s Nearly Complete Carrier Now Hosting Multiple Aircraft Mockups Deck Of China’s Nearly Complete Carrier Now Hosting Multiple Aircraft Mockups

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Apr 17, 2024

J-15 AND J-35 MOCKUPS ON THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER LIAONING

Chinese Aircraft Carrier Heads To Sea With Mockup J-35 Stealth Fighter Chinese Aircraft Carrier Heads To Sea With Mockup J-35 Stealth Fighter

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 29, 2024

China carrier J-35

Mockup Of China’s Stealthy J-35 Fighter Appears On Unexpected Aircraft Carrier Mockup Of China’s Stealthy J-35 Fighter Appears On Unexpected Aircraft Carrier

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 13, 2024

People's Liberation Army Navy Type 003, Fujian, pictured during a CCTV news segment

News & Features

Our Best Look At China’s Nearly Completed New Aircraft Carrier Our Best Look At China’s Nearly Completed New Aircraft Carrier

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jan 3, 2024

Russia Su-33 from the air wing of Admiral Kuznetsov, post crash

News & Features

Su-33 Carrier Landing Crash Aftermath Seen In New Video Su-33 Carrier Landing Crash Aftermath Seen In New Video

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Oct 2, 2023

china-us-shipbuilding-gap

Alarming Navy Intel Slide Warns Of China’s 200 Times Greater Shipbuilding Capacity Alarming Navy Intel Slide Warns Of China’s 200 Times Greater Shipbuilding Capacity

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 11, 2023

Chinese Carrier Recently Sailed Near Guam, Enters South China Sea

Chinese Carrier Recently Sailed Near Guam, Enters South China Sea Chinese Carrier Recently Sailed Near Guam, Enters South China Sea

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 25, 2023

Admiral Kuznetsov pictured in May 2022

Russia’s Accident-Prone Aircraft Carrier Has No Crew Russia’s Accident-Prone Aircraft Carrier Has No Crew

By Oliver Parken, By Joseph Trevithick, By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 11, 2023

China PLAN carrier J-15

News & Features

China Simulates Attacking Taiwan From All Sides With Help From Its Carrier Force China Simulates Attacking Taiwan From All Sides With Help From Its Carrier Force

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 10, 2023

New Chinese Carrier Concept Looks A Lot Like U.S. Navy’s Ford Class

New Chinese Carrier Concept Looks A Lot Like U.S. Navy’s Ford Class New Chinese Carrier Concept Looks A Lot Like U.S. Navy’s Ford Class

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 7, 2023