China Launches Third Aircraft Carrier ‘Fujian’ with Cutting-Edge Tech

In a major leap forward for its naval capabilities, China has officially commissioned its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, touted as its most advanced and modern warship to date. The induction ceremony, held at Sanya Port in Hainan Province, was attended by President Xi Jinping and kept under tight security. What sets the Fujian apart is its incorporation of Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS)—a technology previously exclusive to the US Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford.

Fujian: A Technological Milestone

The Fujian represents a significant advancement in Chinese naval engineering and military power,

• It is China’s first flat-deck aircraft carrier, allowing for more efficient aircraft launch and recovery.
• Equipped with EMALS, the carrier can launch aircraft with full fuel and weapons payloads, greatly enhancing operational range and strike capability.
• It features electromagnetic arresting gear and an all-electric propulsion system, placing it on par with modern Western aircraft carriers.
• With a displacement of approximately 80,000 tonnes, the Fujian is the largest and most sophisticated warship in China’s naval fleet.

Strategic Importance of EMALS

The EMALS system is one of the most advanced features of modern aircraft carriers. Unlike steam catapults, EMALS,

• Provides smoother and more consistent acceleration
• Allows for quicker aircraft launches
• Reduces wear and tear on aircraft
• Enables the launch of heavier aircraft with larger combat payloads

This enhancement significantly boosts the combat readiness and reach of China’s navy, enabling the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to deploy more versatile and capable carrier-based aircraft.

Deployment Plans and Geopolitical Implications

China is expected to deploy the Fujian in key strategic regions,

• Taiwan Strait: As tensions with Taiwan and the US rise, Fujian’s presence will add deterrent weight.
• South China Sea: The carrier will help China assert maritime claims, despite overlapping claims by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
• Indian Ocean Region: With growing naval presence in Djibouti, Pakistan’s Gwadar, and Sri Lanka’s Hambantota, Fujian may also operate in areas closer to India’s maritime sphere.

Comparison with Other Chinese Carriers

Liaoning

• China’s first aircraft carrier
• Refitted from a Soviet-era ship
• Commissioned in 2012

Shandong

• First indigenously built carrier
• Commissioned in 2019
• Features ski-jump takeoff system

Fujian

• First with EMALS and flat deck
• Commissioned in 2025
• Offers enhanced capacity and advanced technology

While all three carriers are conventionally powered, reports suggest China’s fourth carrier, currently under construction in Dalian, may be nuclear-powered, extending its operational endurance and reach.

Static GK Facts

• Fujian is China’s third aircraft carrier, commissioned in November 2025
• It is the first Chinese carrier equipped with EMALS (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System)
• Other Chinese carriers Liaoning (commissioned 2012, Soviet refit) and Shandong (commissioned 2019, indigenously built)