China's Fujian aircraft carrier and the three types of carrier-based aircraft involved have proven to be combat-ready through a series of recent sea trials and onboard trainings, said military analyst Wei Dongxu on Friday.
On Monday, the three carrier-based aircraft, namely the J-15T fighter jet, the J-35 fighter jet and the KongJing-600 early warning plane, completed their inaugural electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoffs and arrested landings training aboard the Fujian aircraft carrier, according to a spokesman of the Chinese Defense Ministry, who also said the commissioning of the Fujian aircraft carrier "would not be far off."
In an interview with China Central Television, Wei said he believes that if the Fujian aircraft carrier can operate in tandem with either of China's other two other aircraft carriers Shandong and Liaoning to form a dual-carrier battle group, it will create a force far stronger than the sum of their parts.
Wei noted that unlike China's first two carriers, the Fujian is capable of operating the KongJing-600, China's first carrier-based fixed-wing early warning aircraft. This would allow one carrier to enhance situational awareness and coordination for both carrier-based air wings.
"The Fujian aircraft carrier has already undergone multiple sea trials, showing perfect conditions of the entire ship, and meeting the technical requirements. And the three types of carrier-based aircraft have successfully completed their electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoffs and arrested landings aboard the Fujian aircraft carrier. This shows that the aircraft carrier is reliable, the three types of carrier-based aircraft are reliable, and they are already of actual combat capabilities," he said.
Fujian aircraft carrier, carrier-based aircraft proven combat-ready in sea trials: military expert
