Type 003-class (Fujian / CV-18)

The third vessel in the People's Liberation Army Navy aircraft carrier program, the Fujian represents the first of the Type 003 class and is the nation's first indigenously designed carrier. Its development marks a significant shift from its predecessors, which were based on modified Kuznetsov-class designs. Construction began in the mid-2010s, with work reportedly experiencing some delays related to catapult system tests. Major assembly of the hull blocks commenced in a dry dock by mid-2020, leading to the installation of the superstructure the following year. The carrier was formally launched on 17 June 2022.

Displacing over 80,000 tons at full load, the Fujian is a conventionally powered ship utilizing steam turbines. Its primary distinction is the implementation of a Catapult-Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) system, which replaces the ski-jump ramps used on prior Chinese carriers. The flight deck is equipped with three electromagnetic catapults and an angled landing area with arresting gear, a technological capability previously exclusive to the United States Navy's Gerald R. Ford-class. This configuration allows for the operation of a more diverse and heavier air wing, projected to exceed 50 aircraft. The carrier is expected to field fixed-wing aircraft including the Shenyang J-15T fighter and its J-15D electronic-warfare variant, the Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter, and the Xi'an KJ-600 airborne early warning and control platform.

Following its launch, the Fujian was named for the province situated opposite Taiwan. It entered the outfitting phase, commencing power and mooring tests in April 2023, with initial catapult tests using mockups occurring later that year. The vessel began its first sea trial in May 2024 to verify the reliability of its propulsion and electrical systems. A series of subsequent trials followed throughout 2024 and into 2025, gradually expanding the scope of testing. Observations from these trials indicated signs of deck activity consistent with aircraft operations, and later tests involved ship-borne J-35 stealth fighters. The carrier remains in a state of sea trials ahead of any formal commissioning or operational deployment.