admin 
15:05, 19-Nov-2025
CGTN
China’s first domestically built catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian. /CMG
China’s latest high-end military platforms have recently reached key operational milestones, marking a significant boost to the country’s integrated combat capability. The Fujian’s first live-force training mission, the commissioning of the GJ-11, and the sea trial of the Sichuan underscore China’s accelerating push to modernize its naval and air forces with advanced, power-projection platforms.
00:27
The Fujian aircraft carrier
On November 5, China officially commissioned the Fujian aircraft carrier, the world’s first conventionally powered carrier equipped with electromagnetic (EM) catapult technology. The milestone signals China’s entry into the “three-carrier era” and positions its carrier development among the world’s most advanced.
Unlike the ski-jump decks of the Liaoning and the Shandong, the Fujian features a flat flight deck, with a full-load displacement over 80,000 tonnes.
Aircrafts are catapulted into the air from the Fujian. /CMG
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s Fujian formation has completed its first live-force training mission at sea since entering service and has returned to a naval port in Sanya. The formation, including the aircraft carrier Fujian and multiple escort vessels including the Yan’an and Tongliao, carried out a series of scheduled maritime training tasks.
During the mission, carrier-based aircraft including the J-35, J-15T, J-15DT, and the KJ-600 early warning aircraft performed multiple catapult launches and arrested landings. The drills tested the Fujian’s electromagnetic catapult and recovery systems as well as its flight-deck handling capabilities, confirming the compatibility between the carrier and its aircraft.
The KJ-600 early warning aircraft prepares for takeoff. /CMG
EM catapults enable fighters to take off with full fuel and weapons, support fixed-wing early-warning aircraft, and accommodate a wider range of aircraft from large transports to small drones, greatly enhancing operational flexibility, China Media Group (CMG) reported.
The Fujian also represents a global first: integrating electromagnetic catapults on a conventionally powered carrier. Its propulsion and electrical systems are tightly merged and highly automated – a critical requirement for blue-water deployments and for ensuring the readiness to fight and win.
A shot of the GJ-11 stealth drone in the film “Distant Dreams”. /CMG
The GJ-11 stealth drone
The PLA Air Force confirmed in a video released on November 11 that the GJ-11 stealth drone has officially entered service, marking a major step toward “manned-unmanned teaming” operations.
A shot of the GJ-11 stealth drone in the PLA Air Force film. /CMG
With its tailless, flying-wing design, GJ-11 offers a better all-aspect stealth capabilities and is well-suited for subsonic flight and long-range missions. The aircraft’s high wing-area ratio improves takeoff and landing performance, CMG reported.
The Sichuan is underway at sea. /CMG
The first Type 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan
A third milestone came on November 16, when the Sichuan – China’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship – completed its maiden sea trial less than 11 months after launch.
Designed as a new-generation amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan is equipped with EM catapult and arrestor systems, enabling it to carry fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and amphibious equipment.
The Sichuan navigating the waters as the sun sets. /CMG
With a full-load displacement of over 40,000 tonnes, the Sichuan features a dual-island superstructure and a full-length flight deck.
The forward island is dedicated to navigation command and fleet coordination, while the aft island handles aviation command and control, improving operational efficiency. The EM catapults enable the launch of various fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and large drones – including stealth strike UAVs capable of carrying substantial air-to-surface, anti-ship and air-to-air munitions – giving the Sichuan “quasi-carrier” combat capability.
(With input from Xinhua.)
