As of 2026, China has three operational aircraft carriers. That’s it. Three. But don't let the small number fool you—each one is a massive, floating testament to ambition, engineering, and a whole lot of national pride.
Their names? The Liaoning, the Shandong, and the brand-new, state-of-the-art Fujian. Think of them as the cool, older siblings of China’s navy, each with a slightly different personality and purpose.
Meet the Fleet: A Quick Tour
The Liaoning is the "starter carrier." Bought from Ukraine in the 1990s as a rusting hulk, it was completely rebuilt and commissioned in 2012. It’s like that old fixer-upper car you tinker with in the garage—except it carries 24 fighter jets and sails the South China Sea.
Then came the Shandong, launched in 2019. This is China’s first homegrown carrier, built from the keel up without anybody else's hand-me-downs. If the Liaoning is a learner's permit, the Shandong is the full driver's license—bigger, better, and bristling with homegrown tech.
And finally, the star of the show: the Fujian, launched in 2026. This one’s a game-changer because it uses an electromagnetic catapult system (think a giant slingshot, but for 25-ton jets). It’s the most advanced carrier in Asia, and it’s still going through sea trials as we speak.
