China’s newest aircraft carrier ‘Fujian’ completes first live-force training at Sea

SANYA, Nov. 18 — China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) has announced that the carrier strike group centered on the newly commissioned aircraft carrier Fujian has completed its first on-sea live-force training, marking a major milestone in the development of the country’s most advanced flattop.

According to a statement released, the Fujian and its escorting vessels carried out a series of coordinated exercises at sea, including fleet navigation, joint vessel-aircraft search and rescue operations, and extensive carrier-based aircraft launch and recovery drills.

Carrier Strike Group Tests Emergency Response and Coordination

One of the highlights of the training was a vessel-aircraft joint search and rescue scenario. PLA Navy officials said ships and aircraft “coordinated closely and completed the rescue task quickly,” demonstrating improved formation-level emergency response capabilities.

The exercise reportedly tested the strike group’s ability to respond to real-time emergencies under the unified command of Fujian’s formation headquarters.

J-35, J-15 Variants and KJ-600 Conduct Catapult Launches

Multiple new-generation carrier aircraft took part in the drills, including the J-35 stealth fighter, the J-15T and J-15DT carrier fighters, and the KJ-600 airborne early-warning aircraft — all performing rounds of catapult-assisted takeoffs and arrested landings.

The PLAN highlighted that the drills successfully validated the performance of the carrier’s electromagnetic catapult system, deck operations, and its overall compatibility with various aircraft types. These capabilities place Fujian on par with the most advanced carriers in the world.

Fujian Enters Service With Ambitious Agenda

The Fujian — China’s third aircraft carrier and the first equipped with electromagnetic catapults — was commissioned on November 5. Its rapid transition to live-force training indicates Beijing is accelerating crew proficiency and system integration as the PLA Navy pushes toward building a blue-water navy capable of long-range power projection.

Observers note that Fujian’s training tempo mirrors China’s ambitions to modernize its carrier aviation and enhance its operational readiness in the Western Pacific.■