China’s CNS Fujian AC Carrier and INS Vikrant: A Comparison
- Security Risks Research
- Nov 13, 2025
- 3 min read
On 05 November days after attending the Asia Pacific Economic Community [APEC] summit and meeting with the US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony of the Fujian (Hull 18), China's first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, in South China's Hainan province.
The Fujian was launched in June 2022 and named after Fujian province. The aircraft carrier Fujian completed its maiden sea trial in May, 2024.
China Daily Editor Chen Zhuo, Senior Captain Chen Zhiguo told State broadcaster China Central Television on Saturday that he will lead the crew to further test the vessel's capabilities.
At the same time, they will make all-out efforts to prepare for the full-scale deployment of aircraft squadrons and to build joint combat capacity with other assets in the carrier strike group, he said. "I'm convinced that, following the development path guided by President Xi Jinping, we, the crew of the Fujian, will 'cleave through the waves' to complete our missions set by the Party and the people," Chen said.
Fujian displaces more than 80,000 metric tons of water and is termed as a supercarrier.
Some Chinese sources claim that the PLA Navy has entered the three-carrier club even though the Liaoning is seen primarily as a training platform whereas the second Shandong is active in regional waters.
China hopes that with full operationalization of the Fujian with carrier-based fighter jets such as the J-35, J-15T and J-15D, the KongJing-600 early warning aircraft and the Z-20 series helicopters, the warship will operate in the high seas.
While Chinese sources claim that the aircraft carrier is aimed at “safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests,” the role will primarily be in projecting power in the high seas including the Indian Ocean Region in the future. “Development Interests,” will be the catch phrase in this case which expand beyond the Western Pacific touching the costs of Africa.
Comparison of Fujian and INS Vikrant
India already fields two aircraft carriers – INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant and in the latest capability development road map a third carrier is in the offing. Thus, the Indian Navy will be able to maintain a two-carrier force beyond a decade and would have full dominance of the Indian Ocean Region.
By the time INS Vikramaditya is due for de-commissioning by 2035 the third aircraft carrier INS Vishal should be at sea.
However, CNS Fujian which has almost double the displacement of the Vikrant – 80,000 tonnes to 45,000 tonnes full load with EMALS catapult system is a much larger vessel. EMALS catapult system will allow aircraft to launch with heavier fuel and weapon loads, providing longer operational range and flexibility.
EMALS is being planned on India’s third aircraft carrier in tandem with possible assistance from the United Kingdom.
With 50 combat fighters to approximately 36 of the Vikrant the potential for operations will be higher while the K J 600 AEW& C will provide an advantage to Fujian.
Vikrant is already in service having been granted Final Operational Clearance in late 2024 and has participated in exercises with foreign navys in the Indian Ocean Region.
The main difference could be in terms of the role – CNS Fujian will provide the PLA Navy power projection capability in the Indian as well as the Pacific Ocean hoping to match the US Navy which has the largest and most capable carrier force. Presently though full operational deployment of CNS Fujian is a couple of years away.
INS Vikrant on the other hand has domination of the Indian Ocean including the choke points as the Malacca Straits. A degree of interoperability has also been established with some of the global navies.
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