China’s military has made significant strides in its efforts to master carrier-based operations, with the latest development involving the Fujian, the nation’s first 80,000-ton aircraft carrier, which is set to host the KJ-600 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. According to a February 5 report by state-owned CCTV, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) has accelerated pilot training for carrier-based “special mission aircraft” in preparation for the deployment of the Fujian, which will be equipped with an advanced electromagnetic catapult.
The report highlighted that the PLA Navy’s Aviation University is training pilots using the Y-7 transport aircraft, which is being utilized as a simulation platform for carrier-based training procedures. This step is part of a larger effort to prepare pilots for the KJ-600, a critical addition to China’s naval capabilities. While the report did not directly mention the KJ-600, the Y-7’s role as a testbed for the aircraft strongly suggests that the training is in preparation for the KJ-600’s induction.
The KJ-600 is expected to play a pivotal role in China’s carrier-based operations, providing the PLA-N with enhanced surveillance and early warning capabilities. However, the accelerated pilot training is seen as an essential step to overcome a significant skill gap in China’s naval aviation sector. Previous reports indicated that China has been recruiting former Western fighter pilots to help train its aviators, addressing the shortage of qualified resources needed for complex carrier-based operations.
With the development of the Fujian and the integration of advanced aircraft like the KJ-600, China is positioning itself to become a more formidable force in the Indo-Pacific region, expanding its naval reach and capabilities. The training efforts are expected to continue as the PLA-N prepares to fully operationalize its new assets, further cementing China’s ambitions to dominate the modern naval battlefield.