The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has reached a critical milestone in its naval aviation program, officially unveiling what military analysts call the 'carrier five-piece set.' This comprehensive suite of aircraft—comprising stealth fighters, multi-role catapult-launched jets, early warning planes, electronic warfare assets, and anti-submarine helicopters—represents the final architectural piece of a modern blue-water navy.
Central to this evolution is the integration of the J-35 stealth fighter and the J-15T heavy fighter, which together provide a high-low mix of air superiority and heavy strike capability. The J-15T, specifically modified with a reinforced landing gear and catapult bar, is designed for the electromagnetic launch systems found on the Type 003 Fujian aircraft carrier. This shift from ski-jump ramps to catapults allows the PLAN to launch heavier payloads with greater frequency.
Perhaps the most significant addition is the KJ-600 'Nezha,' China’s first fixed-wing carrier-borne early warning and control aircraft. Dubbed a 'flying command center,' the KJ-600 closes a long-standing tactical gap by extending the fleet's radar horizon and coordination capacity far beyond what was previously possible with shipborne sensors or helicopters. It provides the essential 'eyes in the sky' required to manage complex air battles in deep-sea environments.
This development marks a definitive doctrine shift for Beijing, transitioning from near-coast defense to far-sea protection. By fielding an air wing that mirrors the functional diversity of U.S. Navy carrier strike groups, China is signaling its intent to project power across the Second Island Chain. The completion of this ecosystem suggests that the PLAN's carrier program has moved past the experimental phase and into the era of standardized, high-intensity combat operations.