Archive · 20 Jul 2026
China's Naval Air Power Expands with '5-Piece' Set
China is building a powerful new set of aircraft for its navy, called the '5-piece' set.
This includes a stealth fighter jet, an early warning aircraft, an electronic warfare aircraft, a multirole fighter jet, and an anti-submarine helicopter.
The Fujian carrier, which was commissioned in late 2025, can use all these aircraft.
China is investing a lot of money to build these aircraft and is even planning to sell some to Pakistan.
This new technology could make China's navy stronger, especially in the Indian Ocean.
India might need to speed up its own plans for aircraft carriers to keep up.
China has produced at least 30 J-35 naval stealth fighters, with plans to invest USD 1.2 billion in a new aeronautical complex.
The '5-piece' set includes a stealth carrier fighter jet, a carrier-based fixed wing early warning aircraft, a carrier-based fixed wing electronic warfare aircraft, a multirole catapult-launched carrier-based fighter jet, and a carrier-based anti-submarine warfare helicopter.
The Fujian carrier, commissioned in late 2025, is the only one of China's three carriers that can operate the full '5-piece' set due to its CATOBAR system.
China's production capacity for advanced fighters is projected to reach 300-400 aircraft annually by 2027, with potential exports to Pakistan.
India may need to fast-track its own aircraft carrier and fighter jet programs to maintain dominance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- Who
- China's PLA Navy and Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
- What
- Development and deployment of a '5-piece' set for naval air power
- When
- J-35 jet confirmed in June 2026, Fujian carrier commissioned in late 2025
- Where
- China, with potential impact on the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
- Why
- To enhance sea-based naval power and compete with US carrier aviation
- J-35 Jet
- China's new naval stealth fighter
- Production Capacity
- At least 30 J-35 airframes produced
- Investment
- USD 1.2 billion in new aeronautical complex
- Carrier Capability
- Fujian carrier can operate full '5-piece' set
- CATOBAR System
- Electromagnetic catapults for heavyweight aircraft
- Potential Exports
- J-35 variants may be exported to Pakistan
- Production Projection
- 300-400 advanced fighters annually by 2027
- Pakistan's Interest
- Seeking J-35AE and related aircraft and defenses