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China’s aircraft carriers

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China’s military
Fujian Type 003 aircraft carrier
China’s aircraft carriers
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China’s aircraft carriers. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Photo: US Navy
Aukus alliance

Trump puts submarine pact in rough waters as China touts strength

The Trump administration is reviewing the Aukus submarine accord with the UK and Australia, while Chinese aircraft carriers are charting new courses.

China's military weapons

China’s Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carriers sail beyond second island chain

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China's military weapons

China’s advanced Fujian carrier conducts ‘intensive’ eighth sea trial

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China's military weapons

China gives glimpse of Fujian aircraft carrier’s catapult technology in action

CCTV shows brief footage of electromagnetic launch system while warning its complexity will mean longer sea trials.

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China’s Fujian aircraft carrier is the world’s largest conventionally powered warship and only the second after the USS Gerald Ford-class vessels to adopt electromagnetic launch technology. Photo: Xinhua
South China Sea

China’s Shandong carrier sends ‘assertive’ message during US-Philippine drills

Aircraft carrier’s moves showcase China’s capacity for ‘rapid and frequent’ missions as it refines blue-water capabilities, analysts say.

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Taiwan

PLA warship may have explored alternative route to Taiwan’s east before drill

The Shandong appears to have transited narrower waterways of the Philippines instead of taking Bashi Channel, according to military experts.

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China's military weapons

Eye in the sky captures China’s Fujian aircraft carrier practising manoeuvres

Commercial satellite images appear to show the vessel during its seventh sea trial which is known to be under way in the Bohai Sea.

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One of the images that was posted on social media and purports to show China’s Fujian aircraft carrier being put through its paces during its latest sea trials. Photo: Weibo / 单手搓核弹
China's military weapons

China’s Fujian aircraft carrier sets off on seventh sea trial

There is speculation its advanced electromagnetic catapults could be put to the test, and that it could be ready for delivery this year.

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s budget battles sink its aircraft-carrier dreams

Financial constraints and strategic concerns look set to overshadow the Indonesian navy’s ambitions of owning a dual-use carrier.

China's military weapons

China trains ‘special mission’ pilots for Fujian aircraft carrier: CCTV

Electromagnetic catapult system allows for heavier and more advanced aircraft, such as KJ-600 airborne early warning and control aircraft.

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The fixed-wing KJ-600 represents a major leap in China’s airborne early warning technology. Photo: Handout
China’s military

Home-grown aircraft carrier Fujian will be the tip of China’s blue-water spear

The PLA Navy’s third and most advanced carrier is expected to project Beijing’s presence well beyond Chinese shores.

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China’s third aircraft carrier the Fujian leaves the Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard on May 1, 2024 for its first navigation test. Photo: Xinhua
China's military weapons

China’s Fujian carrier shows signs of heavier flight deck use in latest tests

The tyre marks may be signs of ‘touch-and-go’ landings and it is not known if the ship’s advanced catapult has been tested yet.

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China airliners

Video | China’s C919 makes first scheduled commercial flight to Hong Kong

Development of aircraft seen as President Xi Jinping’s pet project since taking office in 2013  

China's military weapons

China’s Shandong carrier closes 2024 with ‘all-weather’ combat capacity

Warship achieved ‘all-weather operational capability in complex conditions’, Xinhua year-end report says, highlights role in Taiwan drills.

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A PLA fighter jet takes off from the Shandong aircraft carrier during combat readiness patrol and military exercises in April 2023. Photo: Xinhua via AP
China’s navy

Tyre marks hint that China’s Fujian aircraft carrier is readying for take-offs

Images from vessel’s latest sea trial point to aircraft landings, but successful take-offs with advanced catapult yet to be seen, experts say.

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Military enthusiasts have celebrated a first aircraft “take-off” after online images showed skid marks on the deck of China’s Fujian aircraft carrier, but experts caution they had yet to see any sign of a successful aircraft launch from the vessel. Photo: Sohu
China's military weapons

China tests carrier-like ship, but mystery vessel’s purpose remains murky

Images show ship with flight deck that can carry drones and helicopters, but it is not clear whether it is for civilian or military use.

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China’s navy

Have China’s plans for a nuclear-powered carrier taken another step forward?

Recent reports saying a prototype reactor has been built in Sichuan ‘have clearly highlighted’ the country’s ambitions, one analyst said.

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China’s air force

The J-35 Gyrfalcon will be key to China’s power projection on the high seas

The PLA’s second stealth warplane, touted as the military’s answer to the American F-35, made its debut this week.

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The J-35A made its debut at this week’s Zhuhai air show. Photo: CCTV
China’s navy

China’s J-35 stealth fighter to be suited up for aircraft carrier service

The country’s second fifth-generation fighter will be teamed up with the J-15, aviation sources confirm.

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China’s navy

Updated Chinese J-15 fighter jet spotted in aircraft carrier drill footage

Military analyst says J-15Bs seen airborne in official images, suggesting planes have entered service.

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China’s navy

Chinese navy holds first dual aircraft carrier drills in South China Sea

State television report shows Liaoning and Shandong sailing side by side in exercises aimed at improving ‘systematic combat capability’.

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The Shandong and Liaoning sail side by side during the exercises in the South China Sea. Photo: Xinhua
China’s navy

China’s Liaoning carrier puts jets through paces after skirting Japanese atoll

Carrier heads for the Celebes Sea as US and Philippine forces prepare for joint manoeuvres.

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The Liaoning aircraft carrier has been on deployment since late September. Photo: Japanese Ministry of Defence
China’s military

China has reportedly tested a next-generation carrier-based fighter jet

A documentary on state media refers to take-offs by the new jet from the deck of the Liaoning, but offers no further information or images of the aircraft.

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China’s military

China says Fujian aircraft carrier has tested catapult launch system

A trailer for a military documentary appears to show footage from a camera mounted on a plane as it took off from the ship.

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China’s military

South China Sea: PLA aircraft carrier Shandong shows combat readiness

Japan reports China’s second carrier, accompanied by three vessels, hosted take-offs and landings by jets and helicopters in Philippine Sea.

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The Shandong’s appearance in the Philippine Sea this week did not just signal PLA presence to the Americans, but showed it could carry out consecutive deployments with a short break, an analyst says. Photo: Weibo/@央广军事
China’s military

China’s latest stealth fighter ‘J-31B’ ready for PLA service, video suggests

The FC-31 Gyrfalcon, with a variant now officially revealed as the ‘J-31B’, is positioned as China’s answer to the US fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II.

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A computer-generated model of the new “J-31B” stealth fighter featuring a side weapon bay for two missiles, as seen in a promotional video. Photo: CCTV
China’s military

China’s Fujian carrier may be set for third sea trial in quick succession

Notices to shipping suggest a new trial may be under way, a possible indication that the previous two trials went smoothly.

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China-Asean relations

A Chinese aircraft carrier spotted near the Philippines. What does it mean?

Shanghai-based MizarVision releases image of warship believed to be the Shandong off Luzon, a patrol that could become more frequent, analyst says.

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