Bad news for US and Taiwan as China’s largest aircraft carrier with J-15T, J-35 fighter planes to soon join Chinese Navy; Should India be worried?

The Fujian aircraft carrier, called the largest aircraft carrier of China is expected to join service by the end of 2025.

Written by: Abhijeet Sen Edited by: Abhijeet Sen

Published: August 3, 2025, 2:27 PM IST

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https://www.india.com/news/world/bad-news-for-us-taiwan-chinas-largest-aircraft-carrier-fujian-aircraft-carrier-with-j-15t-j-35-fighter-planes-to-soon-join-chinese-navy-indian-navy-ocean-should-india-be-worried-7987993/ Copy

China's Fujian aircraft carrier- File image

China’s Fujian aircraft carrier: In a significant development in the Indo-Pacific and and a matter of concern for India, US and East Asian Countries, China has intensified its maritime military capabilities by deploying its largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, Fujian, into the sea. As per media reports, the Fujian aircraft carrier is not only China’s most advanced but also its first fully domestically designed flat-deck supercarrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults. Here are all the details you need to know about the Fujian advanced aircraft carrier.

China’s Fujian aircraft carrier: Why India should be cautious?

Reportedly similar to the US Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class, the deployment of the aircraft carrier marks a significant step in Beijing’s naval modernization and signals its growing strategic ambitions from the Taiwan Strait to the Indian Ocean.

Why China’s Fujian aircraft carrier is dangerous?

As per media reports, the Fujian aircraft carrier was first deployed for sea trials in May 2024 and is expected to join service by the end of 2025. More importantly, the aircraft carrier has been equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system (EMALS), making China the only country in the world after US to use an electromagnetic catapult system (EMALS) to land fighter jets on a carrier.

How many aircraft carriers does India have?

India reportedly rejected the idea of building a third aircraft carrier, according to a report carried by the Business Standard earlier this year. Notably, in May 2024, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had stated that construction of a new carrier would begin soon. However, as per The Tribune, his statement referred to a replacement for INS Vikramaditya, not an additional carrier. This indicates that India aims to replace its aging carrier rather than expand its fleet with a third one. Therefore, India currently has only two aircraft carriers namely, INS Vikramaditya and and INS Vikrant.

(With inputs from agencies)