Type 003-class (Fujian / CV-18)

The Type 003 Fujian is the third aircraft carrier of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and its first indigenously designed vessel using a catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) configuration. Construction began at Jiangnan Shipyard between March 2015 and February 2016. The design originally incorporated steam catapults based on components reverse-engineered from HMAS Melbourne but was revised to utilize electromagnetic catapults. The vessel was launched on 17 June 2022.

The carrier is conventionally powered by steam turbines and diesel generators. Its flight deck features an angled landing runway and electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) powered by a medium-voltage direct current integrated power system. This system allows for the launch of fixed-wing aircraft, a transition from the ski-jump systems used on preceding Chinese carriers. Aviation facilities include starboard elevators and a hangar deck. The air wing consists of Shenyang J-35 stealth fighters, J-15T multirole fighters, J-15DT electronic-warfare aircraft, and Xi'an KJ-600 airborne early warning and control aircraft, alongside Harbin Z-20 family helicopters.

Sea trials began in May 2024. During the ninth sea trial in September 2025, the vessel transited the Taiwan Strait to the South China Sea for training. During this period, the PLAN conducted the first launch and recovery of J-15T, J-35, and KJ-600 aircraft using the ship's catapult system, and the vessel achieved initial full-deck operational capability. The Fujian was commissioned on 5 November 2025 at Sanya. In December 2025, the carrier departed Yulin Naval Base and transited the Taiwan Strait to return to Jiangnan Shipyard for maintenance.