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Chinese Aircraft Carrier Fujian Launches Stealth Jet, Early Warning Aircraft in Catapult Tests..By USNI.

.PLATracker 聯合創始人 Ben Lewis 告訴 USNI 新聞，這項試驗是中國軍方航空母艦計畫的「重要里程碑」。「雖然這些試驗很可能在今年早些時候就已完成，但選擇在福建艦第九次海試期間發布影片表明，福建艦很可能在不久的將來做好服役的準備，」

路易斯也強調了北京憑藉著新的航母和空中力量所能展現的力量投射能力。

「一旦投入使用，中國海軍將有能力在第一島鍊和西太平洋部署第五代隱形艦載機，並在固定翼艦載預警機和指揮機的支援下進行作戰。”

.福建號航空母艦，正式名稱為中國人民解放軍海軍福建艦（舷號：18），為首艘003型航空母艦。 該艦以福建省命名，是中華人民共和國自行設計和建造的第二艘航空母艦，也是中國人民解放軍海軍第一艘同時採用直通甲板和電磁彈射設計的航艦。 總計約60架艦載機包括： 36至40架殲-15T艦載機、殲-35艦載機.

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.The People’s Liberation Army Navy’s newest and most capable aircraft carrier launched and recovered the next-generation of Chinese naval aircraft – including the J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter, J-15 attack jet and KJ-600 airborne early warning and control aircraft, according to the PLAN.

Media from the Chinese military showed Fujian (18) launching and recovering the advanced aircraft, as well as conducting deck operations, in what the People’s Liberation Army Navy claimed to be a first for the carrier. The involved aircraft were recently seen over Beijing during China’s military parade on the 80th anniversary of the end of the Pacific War.

Named after a Southeastern Chinese province, Fujian is one of the most advanced vessels to come out of the country’s extensive naval modernization and expansion programs. The Type 003 aircraft carrier was launched in the summer of 2022, making it the largest warship to be launched in Asia since the end of World War II.

The 80,000-ton carrier is capable of supporting an embarked air wing of 40 aircraft. The new warship represents a significant leap in capability for Beijing from the Russian-derived short take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) operated flattops Liaoning (016) and Shandong (017).

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..Fujian’s ability to launch its complement of fighters and support aircraft via catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) operations will allow Chinese naval aviation to operate farther and with more substantial payloads than seen before. Beijing has also equipped the carrier with an electromagnetic catapult, making Fujian the only other vessel outside the U.S. Navy to be equipped with the advanced aircraft launching system. Beijing is set to equip the Type 076-class landing helicopter docks with a similar system for the operation of unmanned aerial combat vehicles.

Beijing’s most advanced warship was recently spotted by the Japan Self-Defense Force sailing away from the Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard and through the Taiwan Strait towards the South China Sea earlier this month. The Chinese military stated that the Fujian was heading towards the disputed waters for testing.

Aside from the naval aviation tests demonstrating China’s ability to increasingly field modern and advanced capabilities, Fujian’s latest tests also come amid a broader carrier buildup between regional powers. India is set to equip its latest carrier with French Rafale fighter jets to bolster its projection in the Indian Ocean Region. Japan is currently in the process of converting a class of two helicopter destroyers into vessels capable of supporting F-35B operations. The Indonesian Navy is also reportedly interested in acquiring an Italian flattop for conversion into a drone mothership equipped with Turkish Bayraktars.

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..Ben Lewis, a co-founder of PLATracker, told USNI News that the test was a “significant milestone” for the Chinese military’s carrier program.

“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,” Lewis said.

Lewis also highlighted the power projection capabilities that Beijing could wield with the new carrier and aerial capabilities.

“Once operational, the PLAN will have the capacity to field fifth-generation stealth carrier aircraft, supported by fixed-wing carrier-based airborne early warning and command aircraft, across the first island chain and Western Pacific Ocean,” .

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