China Commissions Third Aircraft Carrier Fujian, Marking Major Leap in Naval Power—but Full Combat Readiness Still Years Away

China has officially commissioned its newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, signaling a major milestone in Beijing’s drive to modernize its military and expand its maritime reach. However, defense analysts caution that the vessel faces significant technical and operational hurdles before it can be declared fully combat-ready.

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Xi Jinping Oversees Symbolic Commissioning Ceremony

President Xi Jinping presided over the commissioning and flag-presentation ceremony of the Fujian in Hainan province on Wednesday, underscoring the strategic and political importance Beijing attaches to its growing naval ambitions. According to state news agency Xinhua, Xi boarded the 80,000-ton vessel for an inspection and addressed the crew, who pledged to “obey the Party’s command, be able to fight and win, and maintain exemplary conduct.”

The ceremony marked the Fujian’s formal entry into the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), positioning it as China’s most technologically advanced carrier to date.

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Fujian: A New Class of Power Projection

Unlike China’s first two carriers—the Liaoning and Shandong—which were adapted from Russian designs and use ski-jump ramps, the Fujian is indigenously built and equipped with electromagnetic catapults similar to those on U.S. Navy’s latest Gerald R. Ford-class carriers. These systems allow for faster, more powerful launches of heavier, better-armed fighter jets, potentially transforming China’s carrier-based strike capabilities.

During its nine sea trials this year, the Fujian successfully tested the J-35 stealth fighter, the KJ-600 airborne early-warning aircraft, and updated versions of the J-15 fighter jet. The KJ-600, in particular, is expected to expand China’s maritime surveillance range, integrating the complex logistics required for carrier battle group operations.

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Analysts Urge Caution Amid Operational Challenges

Despite the technological leap, experts remain skeptical about how soon the Fujian can conduct full-scale missions.

“I think it will be at least another year before it reaches full operational capability,” said Ben Lewis, founder of defense tracking platform PLATracker. “They are working with almost entirely new systems from top to bottom.”

Collin Koh, a maritime defense expert at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, noted that test footage showed aircraft taking off without live weapons, suggesting operations are still in their early stages. “There’s a long way to go before it achieves the operational rhythm of Western carrier groups,” Koh observed.

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Strategic Implications in the Indo-Pacific

The Fujian’s entry into service is viewed as part of Beijing’s broader effort to project power in the Indo-Pacific, where tensions with the United States and its allies continue to grow. The Pentagon’s 2024 report on China’s military modernization noted that the Fujian and future carriers would enhance the PLAN’s ability to conduct blue-water operations far beyond its coastline, supporting electronic warfare, anti-submarine missions, and potential power projection across the South China Sea and Western Pacific.

However, the Fujian remains diesel-fueled, limiting its endurance compared to U.S. nuclear-powered carriers that can operate for years without refueling. Analysts estimate that the Fujian will require replenishment after roughly 10,000 nautical miles, reducing its long-range sustainability.

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Domestic Symbolism and Taiwan Factor

While China’s carrier fleet has so far operated cautiously—mainly for training and deterrence—the Fujian is expected to serve as both a strategic deterrent and a symbol of national pride. Analysts anticipate its deployments to include highly publicized exercises in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, reinforcing Beijing’s narrative of maritime self-sufficiency and sovereignty.

“This is potentially a game changer for China,” Koh said, “but there are a lot of capabilities still to test and refine—including how it would realistically function in a Taiwan conflict scenario.”

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The Road Ahead

The commissioning of the Fujian marks an undeniable leap in China’s naval modernization, elevating its technological capabilities closer to those of major maritime powers like the United States. Yet, for all its symbolism and sophistication, experts agree that transforming the ship into a fully integrated, combat-ready platform will require years of training, logistical coordination, and doctrinal development.

As Beijing continues to expand its fleet, regional observers will be closely watching how—and where—the Fujian sails next.