China flexes its new superweapon

In a rare show of power, Beijing has released a flood of photos and footage of its new superweapon. The warship gives Chairman Xi Jinping a new level of power.

Now witness the firepower of this fully armed and operational battle carrier.

China’s newest, and biggest, aircraft carrier has launched and recovered its fleet of next-generation aircraft under operational conditions for the first time.

And that puts the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) Fujian (hull number 18) in the top tier of the world’s navies.

It’s a club comprising only the United States, France and India.

And it means Chairman Xi Jinping can now order its 40 combat aircraft to strike targets virtually anywhere around the globe.

Beijing is making sure the world knows about it.

It has, uncharacteristically, released a flood of photos and extensive footage of the Fujian undertaking air-group working-up operations.

“The Fujian and its aircraft have reached world-class levels,” the Communist Party controlled Global Times proclaims, declaring it to be “a milestone event in the PLA Navy’s strides toward becoming a deep-blue water force”.

A J-15T “Flying Shark” strike fighter lands aboard PLAN Fujian. Picture: People’s Liberation Army social media

Chairman Xi Jinping can now order its 40 combat aircraft to strike targets virtually anywhere around the globe. Picture: Noel Celis/AFP

The 80,000-ton (72,500-tonne) aircraft carrier is one of the largest ships produced so far under China’s expansive naval modernisation program. It also represents a significant advance in capability, as it incorporates electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) capable of launching heavily-laden aircraft into the air at a rapid rate. And its capture system can grab them again once they land on the deck.

Only the US Navy’s USS Ford (CVN-78) has the same technology, Its other aircraft carriers, including France’s Charles de Gaulle and India’s Vikrant, rely on slower steam-based catapult technology.

PLAN Fujian deck crew, under the observation of flight controllers in their armoured retractable control station, prepare the launch of a J-35 stealth fighter. Picture: People’s Liberation Army social media

PLAN Fujian is also the first Chinese carrier to operate a new generation of stealth fighters (the J-35), electronic warfare aircraft (J-15D) and advanced radar early warning aircraft (KJ-600).

Unlike the US and French ships, PLAN Fujian is not nuclear powered. This means any distant deployment will rely upon the availability of tankers to provide fuel.

Chinese sailors are pictured. Picture: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

The PLAN Fujian is so far the only Chinese aircraft carrier capable of operating KJ-600 AEWC aircraft. These allow the battle group to detect threatening aircraft, missiles and ships at much greater ranges than ship-borne systems. Picture: People’s Liberation Army social media

The PLAN Fujian’s air week took pride of place above Chairman Xi’s military parade through Beijing earlier this month. Now it’s taken up residence aboard the ship itself.

The warship was observed sailing out of the Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard and into the East China Sea by Japanese Self-Defence Force a fortnight ago. It has since sailed through the disputed Taiwan Straight towards its new home port on Hainan Island, on the northwestern edge of the South China Sea.

PLAN Fujian is believed to be capable of carrying and operating more than 40 combat aircraft. Picture: People’s Liberation Army social media

The PLAN announced it would enter the contentious waterway for “testing”.

“While it appears likely that the tests were done earlier this year, the choice to release the footage during Fujian’s ninth sea trials suggests that Fujian will likely be ready for commissioning in the near future,” China military analyst Ben Lewis told the United States Naval Institute (USNI).

Alex Luck of Naval News agrees that the footage is from late 2024 and earlier this year. And its release now is likely to emphasise the propaganda impact of the PLAN Fujian moving to Hainan.

A missile is fired during a Chinese military exercise. Picture: PLA Eastern Theater Command/ESN/AFP

PLAN Fujian flight controllers observe the launch of a KJ-600 airborne early warning and control (AEWC) aircraft from one of its electromagnetic catapults. Picture: People’s Liberation Army social media

“Several aspects are nevertheless notable in the newly released material,” Luck adds.

Only one of the aircraft carrier’s three catapults is shown in use. But it is seen launching J-35 Stealth Fighters. “The first EMALS-equipped American supercarrier, CVN-78 Gerald R Ford has yet to launch an F-35C,” Luck notes.

And three of the KJ-600 AEWC aircraft appear on its deck. “This fact may underscore the high priority and good progress of the carrierborne early warning aircraft-effort, which is one of the key capabilities setting Fujian apart from her older sisters Liaoning and Shandong,” he explains.

The aircraft carrier’s deck crew is seen following procedures, and wearing colour-coded outfits, very similar to those used by the US.

“It seems logical that PLAN would echo procedures defined by the pre-eminent aircraft carrier-operator in the world, instead of needlessly formulating a disparate concept of operations,” Luck notes.

Originally published as China flexes its new superweapon