Chinese PLA Navy's Aircraft Carrier Fujian Conducts First Maritime Live-force Training

China's first electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian (Hull 18) steams at sea during its first maritime live-force training.(eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Gao Zeming)

SANYA, Nov. 18 -- A Chinese carrier strike group comprising multiple vessels including the aircraft carrier Fujian (Hull 18), guided-missile destroyer Yan'an (Hull 106), and guided-missile frigate Tongliao (Hull 554), recently returned to a military port in Sanya City, south China's Hainan Province, after completing maritime training exercises. This marks the first maritime live-force training mission conducted by the aircraft carrier Fujian since its commissioning on Nov. 5, 2025.

During the mission, multiple types of carrier-based aircraft such as the J-15T heavy fighter jet, J-15DT electronic warfare aircraft, J-35 stealth fighter jet, and KJ-600 early warning aircraft completed multiple sorties of electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing training, which effectively tested the full-deck operational capability of the aircraft carrier Fujian, and further verified the sound compatibility of the ship's electromagnetic catapult and arresting systems with multiple aircraft types. In addition, the carrier strike group also conducted training on multiple subjects such as formation navigation and joint ship-aircraft search and rescue operations.

It is learned that the maritime training is a normal arrangement in accordance with the work plan, aiming to test the training effectiveness of the Fujian carrier strike group and enhance its capability to safeguard China's national sovereignty, security and development interests.

A J-15DT electronic warfare aircraft takes off from China's first electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian (Hull 18) during a maritime live-force training. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Jian)

A J-35 stealth fighter jettakes off from China's first electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian (Hull 18) during a maritime live-force training. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Jian)

A J-35 stealth fighter jet takes off from China's first electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian (Hull 18) during a maritime live-force training. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Gao Zeming)

A KJ-600 early warning aircraft takes off from China's first electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian (Hull 18) during a maritime live-force training. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Chang Xinpeng)