China’s AWACS KJ-600 ‘Hawkeye’ provides critical boost as Fujian is commissioned
November 10, 2025
China’s aircraft carrier program continues to develop at a breathtaking speed. The Chinese Navy’s (PLAN) KJ-600 turboprop AWACS aircraft, first unveiled months ago, offers a significant leap in capabilities as the PLAN has commissioned the Type 003 Fujian aircraft carrier.
China’s new KJ-600 ‘Nezha’ E-2 Hawkeye counterpart
With the new electromagnetic catapult-equipped Type 003 Fujian aircraft carrier commissioning into the PLAN, the KJ-600 will soon enter operational status.
The new Chinese carrier-based KJ-600 airborne early warning aeroplane may be outwardly a copy of the US Navy E-2 Hawkeye, but to some extent, that is irrelevant. More important is its radar and on-board systems whose performance can’t be assertained external images of the aircraft.
In 2025, the KJ-600 was a key feature of Fujian’s air wing unveiled on China’s 3rd of September V-Day military parade. Like the E-2 Hawkeye, it is designed for extremely short takeoff and landing operations.
While it was officially unveiled in 2025, its development has been known for years and was previously seen in satellite imagery. Flight trials of the KJ-600 began in 2020.
The War Zone has previously noted, “although not a direct copy, it is extremely similar both in size and overall design [to the Hawkeye].” It is unclear how many KJ-600s China has available, although three have been seen on the Fujian.
KJ-600 pic.twitter.com/2ZCqsdPHCE
— OedoSoldier (@OedoSoldier) September 22, 2025
The aircraft is nicknamed after Nezha, a figure from Chinese mythology. It earned its name from the shape of the aircraft, giving it the appearance of having three heads like Nezha. The foldable wings with the four vertical tails are also said to resemble Nezha’s six arms.
A significant force multiplier for the PLAN
The aircraft is designed to be the eyes in the sky for the Chinese Navy. It is tasked with detecting, sensing, forming, and distributing information to create situational awareness for the fleet and its air arm. Like the Hawkeye in the US Navy, the Nezha is to be a force multiplier.
A new article by China’s English-language Global Times says the large radome “represents the extreme for an aircraft of this small size, pushing the limits in terms of the aircraft’s centre of gravity, aerodynamic performance, and controllability.”
The publication also reported a Chinese senior developer talking about how the radome was maximised to boost its detection range, although no details were actually given.
The aircraft is designed to detect threats like extremely low-flying sea-skimming missiles that ships with their lower radars can’t see until later due to the curvature of the Earth.
According to The War Zone, the size and performance of the KJ-600 mean it is only suitable for CATOBAR operations. This means it is restricted to the Fujian (and future carriers) and unable to operate on China’s two other carriers, the Type 001 Laioning and Type 002 Shandong.
via ACuriousPLAFan/SDF:
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) November 8, 2025
„KJ-600 launching from Fujian, with the distinct engine smoke visible. Posted by the official Weibo account of AVIC.“
Seems as if it‘s time for an engine update … pic.twitter.com/c0vLnpnEFH
The French Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier also operates US-origin E-2 Hawkeyes. British Queen Elizabeth carriers are limited to helicopter-based AWACS aircraft as they are STOVL carriers, unable to operate the Hawkeye.
China’s impressive new aircraft carrier air fleet capabilities
In September, China confirmed it was carrying out J-35 fighter jet and KJ-600 AWACS trials on the Fujian. Joining these two new aircraft was China’s J-15T, a Chinese carrier-based variant based on the extended Su-27 Flanker family. Footage released also included a J-15D series electronic warfare aircraft.
While Chinese videos are edited for propaganda value to create the impression of seamless operations, it doesn’t take away from China rapidly achieving new capabilities.
BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) November 7, 2025
China just officially commissioned the Fujian, its third and first fully home-designed aircraft carrier.
It’s also its first carrier with electromagnetic catapults. pic.twitter.com/0vpYvK8lrD
The Fujian was officially commissioned into the PLAN on Wednesday, bringing China’s carrier fleet to three. China is known to be working on developing a fourth aircraft carrier that is expected to be nuclear-powered.
Featured Image: China Military
