Chinese J-35 Face Engine Restrictions on Fujian Carrier

Why It Matters

Limited endurance directly reduces the carrier’s strike reach and air‑defense envelope, affecting China’s naval deterrence and carrier credibility. It also underscores persistent propulsion gaps that could delay broader carrier‑based aviation ambitions.

Key Takeaways

• J-35 limited to seven minutes at 900 km range
• Fujian uses electromagnetic catapults, not ski‑jumps
• WS‑21 engine still powers J-35, not WS‑19
• China invested $40B in AECC, yet engine gaps persist
• Limited endurance hampers carrier strike group power projection

Pulse Analysis

The J‑35’s engine shortfall arrives at a pivotal moment for China’s naval modernization. While the Fujian carrier showcases a leap forward with electromagnetic launch technology, the reliance on the legacy WS‑21 turbofan undermines the aircraft’s promised performance envelope. Analysts argue that without a high‑thrust, fuel‑efficient engine, the J‑35 cannot fully exploit the catapult’s payload advantages, limiting sortie rates and operational flexibility.

China’s broader aerospace strategy has poured billions into the Aviation Engine Corporation of China (AECC) to close the propulsion gap with Western rivals. Yet the reported endurance constraint reveals that engine development remains a bottleneck, echoing past challenges in achieving reliable afterburning thrust for carrier operations. The disparity between ambitious carrier design and engine capability may force the People’s Liberation Army Navy to rely on older platforms or adjust tactics, such as operating closer to the fleet or reducing payloads.

Strategically, the engine limitation could temper Beijing’s power‑projection narrative in the Indo‑Pacific. Competitors may view the Fujian’s reduced air‑cover radius as a vulnerability, influencing regional naval posturing and procurement decisions. For defense industry observers, the situation underscores the importance of integrated system development—where airframe, propulsion, and launch mechanisms must mature together to deliver credible carrier strike capability.

Chinese J-35 face engine restrictions on Fujian carrier

By Gu Min Chul · Feb 11 2026

Key Points

• Chosun Ilbo reported that China’s J‑35 stealth fighters operating from the aircraft carrier Fujian face engine performance limits that restrict endurance and range.

• Chinese military commentators cited in the report said the J‑35 can operate for only seven minutes at a distance of 900 km from the carrier due to turbofan engine constraints.

China’s J‑35 stealth fighters deployed aboard the aircraft carrier Fujian (Type 003) are facing operational restrictions due to ongoing engine performance issues, according to a report by South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper.

The report states that footage aired earlier this year by China’s state broadcaster CCTV, promoting the Fujian carrier, drew scrutiny from Chinese military commentators after revealing possible shortcomings in the turbofan engine powering the J‑35. The Fujian, commissioned in November last year, is China’s third aircraft carrier and the first equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system designed to accelerate fighter jets weighing dozens of tons to over 200 km/h within seconds for takeoff.

CCTV broadcast video showing the J‑35 conducting takeoff and landing operations aboard the carrier. However, according to Chosun Ilbo, the footage prompted domestic analysts to question engine performance, described as the “heart” of the aircraft.

Haixian Xianfeng, a naval‑focused military commentator, wrote in early January on the Tengxunwang portal, “According to domestic experts’ estimates, the J‑35 fighter can operate for only seven minutes at a distance of 900 km from the carrier.” The statement, as cited by Chosun Ilbo, indicates limited endurance and loiter time at extended range.

The J‑35 is a carrier‑capable stealth fighter developed with reference to the U.S. F‑35 design. The aircraft has been presented as a next‑generation platform intended to operate from China’s expanding carrier fleet. The Fujian’s electromagnetic catapult system allows aircraft to launch with heavier payloads compared to traditional ski‑jump carriers.

According to the report, observers had expected the J‑35 to be powered by the newer WS‑19 engine, which has been under development since 2017. Instead, footage suggested the continued use of the older WS‑21 engine. Engine performance is a critical factor for carrier‑based fighters, which must generate sufficient thrust to launch from a relatively short flight deck, even when assisted by catapult systems.

Chosun Ilbo noted that China established the Aviation Engine Corporation of China (AECC) in 2009 to oversee aircraft engine development and invested more than $40 billion between 2010 and 2020. Despite these efforts, fighter‑jet engines remain a known challenge within China’s defense sector. The issue has been described domestically as a “heart disease,” referring to persistent weaknesses in propulsion technology.

The Fujian carrier represents a central element of China’s naval modernization. Unlike its predecessors, the Liaoning and Shandong, which use ski‑jump launch systems, the Fujian employs electromagnetic catapults similar in concept to those used by the U.S. Navy. The system is designed to improve sortie generation and expand the range of aircraft that can be deployed from the carrier.

The J‑35’s operational role is to provide fleet air defense, strike capability, and potential power projection from carrier strike groups. However, the reported endurance limitations suggest constraints on sustained operations at distance from the carrier.