Type 003 Fujian is the People's Liberation Army Navy's first fully domestically designed catapult aircraft carrier and China's first carrier with electromagnetic catapults. Built at Jiangnan Shipyard and commissioned on 5 November 2025, it moves Chinese carrier aviation from ski-jump STOBAR operations toward CATOBAR launch and recovery with heavier fixed-wing aircraft.
Fujian is the PLAN's transition point from ski-jump carriers to catapult-assisted fixed-wing operations. ChinaPower describes the ship as CATOBAR rather than STOBAR, while Chinese government reporting from the commissioning ceremony identified the electromagnetic catapult system and the J-35, J-15T, and KongJing-600 aircraft parked on the flight deck.
Three electromagnetic catapults replace the ski-jump launch method used by Liaoning and Shandong.
Public reporting ties Fujian trials and training to J-15T, J-15DT, J-35, and KJ-600 catapult launch and arrested recovery activity.
Commissioning placed Fujian in PLAN service, but Naval News noted that carrier qualification and operational work-up would continue after entry into service.
The Fujian was launched in Shanghai as China's first indigenous catapult aircraft carrier.
Sources: CNS Fujian achieves milestone with electromagnetic launch of advanced Naval aircraft
Xinhua reported that Fujian left Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard for maiden sea trials to test propulsion and electrical-system reliability and stability.
Sources: China's aircraft carrier Fujian sets out for maiden sea trials
Xinhua reported that Fujian returned to Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard after an eight-day first sea trial.
Sources: China's aircraft carrier Fujian completes maiden sea trials
Chinese reporting and Naval News described J-15T, J-35, and KJ-600 aircraft completing catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested-landing training from Fujian.
Sources: CNS Fujian achieves milestone with electromagnetic launch of advanced Naval aircraft, Chinese Navy Releases Footage Of Flight Operations From New Aircraft Carrier Fujian
Xinhua's Chinese government report placed the commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony at Sanya, Hainan, on 5 November 2025.
Sources: Xi attends commissioning of China's Fujian aircraft carrier
Xinhua reported Fujian's first on-sea live-force training after commissioning, including catapult-assisted takeoffs and landings by J-35, J-15T, J-15DT, and KJ-600 aircraft.
Sources: Update: Aircraft carrier Fujian formation conducts first live-force training at sea
