--- title: "China Teases First Catapult Launches From Its New Carrier Fujian" description: "Launching jets in an operational manner would be a critical milestone for China's first catapult-equipped aircraft carrier." date: "2025-08-01" modified: "2025-08-01" authors: - name: "Joseph Trevithick" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick.md" url: "https://www.twz.com/sea/china-teases-first-catapult-launches-from-its-new-carrier-fujian" categories: - "Around The Globe" - "Carriers" - "China" - "Indo-Pacific" - "Navies" - "News & Features" - "People's Liberation Army Navy (China)" - "Sea" --- # China Teases First Catapult Launches From Its New Carrier Fujian ![Signs are growing that China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is close to demonstrating its ability to launch and recover aircraft from its first catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, if it has not done so already.]() *Chinese internet* Signs are growing that China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is close to demonstrating its [ability to launch and recover aircraft]() from its first catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, [the *Fujian*](), if it has not done so already. *Fujian* completed [an eighth round of sea trials](), which were said to have been particularly intensive, back in May. Chinese state media outlets have released previously unseen, but also undated videos and pictures showing flight operations aboard *Fujian* this week in the lead up to today's marking of the 98th anniversary of the founding of the PLA. *Fujian* has been conducting sea trials since May 2024 and is reportedly expected to enter operational service by the end of this year. https://twitter.com/ianellisjones/status/1950970481659748633?s=12 Chinese authorities have yet to show aircraft launching from or recovering aboard *Fujian*, but the newly released imagery notably includes a view of a Shenyang J-15T single-seat carrier-based fighter at least in position for a catapult launch with its afterburners engaged. ![]() *The J-15T with its afterburners engaged at least in position for launch aboard *Fujian*. *Chinese internet** ![]() *Another view of a J-15T with its wings and horizontal stabilizers folded aboard *Fujian*. *Chinese internet** Another clip shows the shadow being cast on *Fujian*'s deck from a J-15-series fighter flying low over or at least very near the ship. There are no clear indications, one or the other, that the jet in question took off from and/or landed on *Fujian*. ![]() *A J-15 casts a shadow on *Fujian*'s deck. *Chinese internet** The [J-15 family]() is derived from the Soviet-era [Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker](), with [the T version]() being specifically developed for catapult launch. Earlier variants of the J-15, as well as the Su-33, were designed for use on short takeoff, but assisted recovery (STOBAR) carriers with ski jumps rather than catapults. ![]() *A stock picture of a J-15T. Note the catapult bar on the jet's nose landing gear strut. *Wei Meng/VCG via Getty Images** The recently released official imagery also includes a look at members of *Fujian*'s crew conducting a so-called Foreign Object Debris (FOD) walk. This is a routine proactive safety measure taken on carriers and land airfields to check for potentially small, but serious hazards ahead of flight operations. ![]() *Personnel aboard *Fujian* conduct a FOD walk. *Chinese internet** A Harbin Z-9 helicopter, a license-produced variant of the Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) AS365 Dauphin, is also seen in one of the video clips that have been released. Z-9s are also part of the air wings found on China's STOBAR carriers, including [for use as plane guards]() while fixed-wing aircraft are launching and recovering. ![]() *A Z-9 helicopter together with a J-15 aboard *Fujian*. *Chinese internet** ![]() *A J-15 launches from the Chinese STOBAR carrier *Liaoning*. A Z-9 helicopter acting as a plane guard is seen in the background. *Japanese MoD** It's also worth noting here that it's unclear whether the PLAN could have launched a J-15T from *Fujian*'s deck without the help of the ship's catapults, possibly by using a jet with a light fuel load and/or that is otherwise stripped down, and a long takeoff run. In such a scenario, the aircraft would also have to be craned off afterward. Still, it seems more likely that *Fujian* is now launching and recovering fixed-wing aircraft, or at least is getting very close to doing so, as part of its ongoing trials. Basic function testing of the carrier's electromagnetically-powered catapults [first began in 2023]() while the ship was still being fitted out. Chinese state media has also released other imagery in the past showing members of the carrier's crew [at least going through the motions]() of a catapult launch. https://twitter.com/HenriKenhmann/status/1728685029801509359 As China's first CATOBAR carrier, *Fujian* has been a source of great interest, in general, for years now. With *Fujian*, the PLAN is also notably going straight to electromagnetic catapults without ever operating a carrier that uses steam-powered ones. The U.S. Navy's supercarrier [USS *Gerald R. Ford*]() was the first carrier ever to get an aircraft into the air using what is also referred to as [an electromagnetic aircraft launch system]() (EMALS). [France]() and [India]() are also now moving to field EMALS-equipped carriers, and [the United Kingdom]() may also follow suit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ3Ob9IF_w8 Electromagnetic catapults offer the advantage of being able to be more finely tuned to very different aircraft types, particularly ones at the smaller and lighter end of the spectrum. EMALS, which are also less complicated mechanically than their predecessors, offer lower reset times that can help increase sortie generation rate. At the same time, the electromagnetic catapults on USS *Gerald R. Ford* did prove to be temperamental new technology, [causing issues for years]() before the U.S. Navy said [it was able to mitigate them](). The overall capabilities that EMALS offer are particularly relevant for launching uncrewed platforms. The PLAN is actively pursuing [advanced uncrewed combat air vehicles]() (UCAV) and [other types of drones]() that can be launched from carriers and big deck amphibious warfare ships. *Fujian*'s full air wing is set to also include [new J-35 naval stealth fighters]() and [KJ-600 airborne early warning and control aircraft](). https://twitter.com/RupprechtDeino/status/1935566367622930571 https://twitter.com/RupprechtDeino/status/1935938225920446695 Imagery of a new jet trainer, which looks to be based on [the existing JL-10]() and could be designed with carrier training in mind, has also emerged today. Conducting routine CATOBAR operations from *Fujian* will also require the PLAN to set up a steady pipeline for naval aviators qualified to do so. https://twitter.com/RupprechtDeino/status/1951161795026255966 More broadly speaking, *Fujian* reflects a major modernization push by the PLAN dating back to the 1990s, with particular emphasis on supporting higher-end region missions, [such as intervention against Taiwan](), as well as [longer-range blue water operations]() in the Pacific and beyond. China is reportedly already working on a new CATOBAR carrier, commonly [referred to as the Type 004](), which may also be nuclear-powered. Renderings that have [emerged in the past related to that design]() show distinct similarities to the U.S. Navy's *Ford* class and France's future [New Generation Aircraft Carrier](), both of which are nuclear-powered. ![]() *A rendering of a Chinese future CATOBAR carrier concept. *Chinese internet** PLAN modernization has not been limited to carriers, but also includes a still-growing [array of new]() and [ever-more advanced surface combatants](), amphibious warfare ships, and more. China has been particularly prolific when it comes to [the relatively rapid expansion]() of its amphibious fleets. This includes a super-sized big deck amphibious assault ship named *Sichuan*, also [referred to as the Type 076](), which is unlike any other such vessel in service anywhere else in the world. It notably has its own single electromagnetic catapult along one side of the forward end of the flight deck. *Sichuan* has also been a major feature in media related to the 98th anniversary of the PLA's founding. https://twitter.com/Nickatgreat1220/status/1951140513601733024 https://twitter.com/AlexLuck9/status/1951197154216714739 Chinese state media this week has also highlighted an example of the [Type 075 amphibious assault ship](), as well as shown imagery of a significant portion of all of the PLAN's major amphibious warships sailing in formation together. The PLAN's amphibious capabilities are also growing further now with new jack-up barges that can be linked together to help get ground forces ashore, as you can read more about [here](). https://twitter.com/nuwangzi/status/1951159009785815505 https://twitter.com/AlexLuck9/status/1951206188823224413 https://twitter.com/jesusfroman/status/1934351439549050904 This year's anniversary of the PLA's founding comes amid new geopolitical friction with the United States, [especially over tariffs and other trade issues](). In addition, there continues to be ominous warnings about PLA efforts to at least get to a place where it would be confident of succeeding in an armed intervention against Taiwan, [potentially as soon as 2027](). "The \[Taiwanese\] population need\[s\] to not be naive like in the past," Wu Chihchung, Taiwan's deputy foreign minister, said in an interview with *Sky News* in the United Kingdom [that was broadcast today](). "China is preparing to invade Taiwan." If nothing else, there are growing signs that China's first catapult-equipped carrier *Fujian* is getting ever closer to entering operational service. *Contact the author: joe@twz.com* ## Author Joseph is *TWZ’s* Deputy Editor, helping to oversee the site’s highly experienced and dedicated team, while also writing informative and impactful defense and national security content. He lives right in the thick of it in the Washington, D.C. area. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Bluesky]()