In the past few days, official commentary in China is rife with references to the PLA Navy finally possessing the “carrier five-piece set” (航母五件套). As Defence Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin put it, inducting this 5 piece combination of aircraft carrier-ancilliary systems – conventionally meaning a stealth carrier fighter jet, a carrier-based fixed wing early warning aircraft, a carrier-based fixed wing electronic warfare aircraft, a multirole catapult launched carrier-based fighter jet, and a carrier-based anti-submarine warfare helicopter – has completed any Chinese carrier strike group’s system-of-systems combat capability. Only, why this matters today, is because of the three carriers the PLAN operates – Liaoning, Shandong and Fujian – it is the Fujian only that possesses CATOBAR, with its three electromagnetic catapults tested at sea, and the carrier itself inducted in late 2025.
If one looks at the doctrinal principle behind this feat, the Chinese are competing with and emulating a US Carrier strike group. Side-by-side, the comparison looks a little something like this:
- In terms of Stealth carrier fighters, the recently inducted J-35 is pitched as Chinese alternative to the US Navy’s F-35C. This is not an assessment of merits – just arguments.
- On the Multi-role catapult fighter front, the Chinese J-15T heavy jet touts large payload capacity and long combat radius to conduct saturation attacks againstenemy targets, not unlike the US F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which accompanies all of its carriers.
- Then, on the Fixed-wing AEW and Fixed-wing EW fronts, respectively, the KJ-600 is pitted against the E-2D Hawkeye, and the J-15DT/ J-15DH against the EA-18G Growler. The KJ-600 is China’s first FW AEW, and it is nicknamed the “air-sea command center” as it can provide carrier strike groups with longer warning times and improve interception efficiency.
- Finally, in terms of ASW helicopter, the recently inducted Chinese Z-20F (replacing Z-18F) intends to perform the same roles as the US SH-60F/MH-60R Seahawk. In fact, as per the US Department of War’s 2024 China Military Power Report, “The Z-20F is similar to the US Navy’s SH-60 and will provide significant improvements in ASW capabilities.”
These aircraft have sustained in the news cycle in China since the September 3 military parade last year, when especially the KJ-600, the J-15s, and the J-35 flew in formations. Most recently, China has also inducted the GJ-21 ‘Sharp Sword/ Mighty Dragon’ naval drone, which has evolved from the land-based variant GJ-11. It is a stealth UCAV made for operating from CATOBAR on-board the Fujian, but also the Type 076 landing helicopter dock with a 250-260m deck.
While it is definitely a feat to enjoy, the PLAN must prepare to close also the 70-year catapult operations gap with the US. And in the meantime, India has meaningful lessons to draw and actions to undertake in terms of fast-tracking stealth carrier fighter and FW-EW aircraft programmes, while enhancing capabilities of the Ka-31 AEW helicopters.