China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, enters military service

"The Fujian is China's third aircraft carrier, but its first indigenously designed and built model. The vessel looks set to be a far more effective naval weapon than China's first two Russian-designed carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, which are smaller and rely on ramps to launch aircraft. With a flat flight deck and electromagnetic catapults for take-offs only found elsewhere on the latest United States Navy Ford-class carriers the Fujian will be able to carry significantly more and heavier-armed jet fighters."

"During the Fujian's sea trials, the Chinese navy launched its new carrier version of the J-35 stealth fighter and an early-warning aircraft, the KJ-600, as well as a variant of its established J-15 fighter jet. The ability to carry its own reconnaissance aircraft also means that, unlike the Liaoning and Shandong, the Fujian will not be operating blind when out of the range of land-based support, allowing it to operate its most advanced aircraft further afield."

The Fujian entered service after extensive sea trials and is regarded as a symbol of President Xi Jinping's overhaul and rapid military expansion. Xi inspected the carrier in Sanya, and more than 2,000 naval and construction representatives attended the commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony. The Fujian is the third Chinese carrier and the first indigenously designed and built model. It features a flat flight deck and electromagnetic catapults, enabling more and heavier-armed jet fighters than the Liaoning and Shandong. Sea trials launched a carrier version of the J-35, the KJ-600 early-warning aircraft, and a J-15 variant, allowing operations beyond land-based support though combat readiness timing remains uncertain.

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