China Commissions Third Aircraft Carrier Fujian, Boosting Naval Power

China has officially commissioned its third aircraft carrier, Fujian, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing naval modernization drive. The addition of the Fujian further strengthens China’s maritime power, making it the nation with the second-largest fleet of aircraft carriers in the world, trailing only behind the United States.

The commissioning ceremony, attended by President Xi Jinping earlier this week, underscored China’s ambition to establish itself as a dominant maritime force in the Asia-Pacific region. The Fujian, named after a coastal province in southeastern China, showcases cutting-edge naval engineering and advanced military technology.

Unlike its predecessors, the Liaoning and Shandong, the Fujian is China’s first aircraft carrier to feature an electromagnetic catapult launch system. This system allows for the launch of heavier, fully equipped aircraft, significantly improving the carrier’s operational range and strike capability. It also enables the deployment of sophisticated aircraft such as the KJ-600 early-warning plane, the stealth J-35 fighter, and the J-15T heavy fighter.

The Fujian represents China’s first indigenously designed aircraft carrier, setting it apart from the Liaoning, which was originally an unfinished Soviet vessel acquired from Ukraine, and the Shandong, which was built domestically but based on the Liaoning’s design. With its addition, China now operates three aircraft carriers, surpassing countries like India, the United Kingdom, and Italy, which each have two.

Technologically, the Fujian ranks as the second carrier in the world to use an electromagnetic catapult system—an innovation previously seen only on the United States Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford. This system replaces traditional steam-powered catapults, providing smoother, more efficient aircraft launches while reducing mechanical stress on both the ship and the planes.

While the Fujian has a full-load displacement of over 80,000 tons, it remains slightly smaller than America’s Nimitz and Ford-class carriers, which reach up to 100,000 tons. The Chinese carrier can reportedly accommodate between 40 to 60 aircraft, compared to the 60 to 70 planes typically carried by U.S. counterparts.

However, one key limitation remains—China’s carriers are conventionally powered, restricting their range to approximately 8,000–10,000 nautical miles. In contrast, U.S. carriers use nuclear propulsion, providing them with virtually unlimited operational range.

Experts believe China is actively developing nuclear-powered carriers as part of its next phase of naval advancement. Military analysts say the Fujian’s design and capabilities mark a major step toward that goal, positioning China to extend its influence deep into the Pacific Ocean and across critical regions such as the South China Sea, East China Sea, and Taiwan Strait.

The Fujian is equipped with three electromagnetic catapults, two aircraft elevators, and a streamlined flight deck, making it one of the most advanced vessels in China’s fleet. Despite having slightly fewer launch systems than the USS Ford, the Fujian demonstrates China’s growing expertise in naval warfare technology.

As China continues to expand and modernize its navy, the commissioning of the Fujian sends a clear signal about its maritime ambitions. The carrier’s introduction not only enhances China’s defensive capabilities but also projects its strategic reach far beyond regional waters, intensifying the global naval balance of power.