Three types of aircraft complete electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoffs, landings on China’s carrier Fujian

This file photo shows carrier-based aircraft J-15T, J-35, and KongJing-600 on the flight deck of China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

The Chinese Navy said Monday that carrier-based aircraft J-15T, J-35, and KongJing-600 have completed their inaugural electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing training on the aircraft carrier, the Fujian.

The success showed that China’s first domestically built catapult-equipped aircraft carrier has obtained electromagnetic catapult launch and recovery capabilities, marking another breakthrough in the development of China’s aircraft carriers.

J-15T, J-35, and KongJing-600 were showcased during China’s massive military parade held on Sept. 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

The trainings verified the sound compatibility of China’s fully domestically developed electromagnetic catapult and arresting systems with multiple aircraft types, according to the navy.

This demonstrated that Fujian has obtained initial full-deck operational capability, paving the way for multiple types of carrier-based aircraft to join the carrier formation, the navy said.

In recent years, the Chinese Navy’s carrier-based aviation has accelerated its development, leaping forward from single aircraft to integrated systems, from shore-based to shipborne operations, from ski-jump to catapult launches, and from being able to fly to being capable of combat. The Navy is steadily advancing toward the goal of becoming a world-class force at sea.

Since its first sea trials in May 2024, the Fujian has carried out a series of maritime tests according to plan, progressing with equipment commissioning and assessments of overall operational stability. ■

This file photo shows a support crew member of China’s aircraft carrier Fujian directing the pilot of a carrier-based aircraft KongJing-600. (Photo by Jiang Tao/Xinhua)

This file photo shows a carrier-based aircraft, KongJing-600, making an arrested landing on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. (Photo by Lyu Zhihao/Xinhua)

This file photo shows a carrier-based aircraft J-15T making an arrested landing on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

This file photo shows a carrier-based aircraft J-15T making an arrested landing on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

This file photo shows a carrier-based aircraft KongJing-600. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

This file photo shows a carrier-based aircraft J-15T making an arrested landing on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

This file photo shows a carrier-based aircraft J-35 during a training on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

This file photo shows a carrier-based aircraft KongJing-600 making an arrested landing on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

This file photo shows a carrier-based aircraft KongJing-600 making an arrested landing on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

This file photo shows crew members signaling the pilot of KongJing-600 for an electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

This file photo shows a carrier-based aircraft J-15T during an electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

This file photo shows a carrier-based aircraft J-35 during an electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

This file photo shows crew members signaling the pilot of J-15T for an electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

This file photo shows a crew member checking with the pilot of J-35 before an electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

This file photo shows crew members signaling the pilot of J-35 for an electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

This file photo shows a carrier-based aircraft J-35 during an electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

This file photo shows crew members signaling the pilot of KongJing-600 for an electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff on China’s aircraft carrier Fujian.

Reference Link:- https://english.news.cn/20250922/701bb850040c48a5957475f1c2fae374/c.html

Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan Founder & Chair, Global Silk Route Research Alliance

Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…

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