China is rapidly advancing towards the operational deployment of its indigenously developed KJ-600, a carrier-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft designed to significantly bolster the capabilities of its burgeoning aircraft carrier fleet. The twin-turboprop aircraft, which bears a striking resemblance to the U.S. Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, represents a critical leap for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in projecting power and enhancing situational awareness at sea.
The KJ-600 is designed to be the “eye in the sky” for China’s aircraft carriers, particularly the new catapult-equipped Type 003 (Fujian). Its primary role will be to provide comprehensive aerial and maritime surveillance, detecting and tracking multiple air and surface targets over vast ranges. Equipped with a large dorsal radome housing an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, the KJ-600 is believed to possess the capability to identify even stealthy targets, a crucial feature in modern combat scenarios.
Beyond its surveillance prowess, the aircraft will serve as a vital command-and-control node, capable of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating critical battlefield information to fighter jets, warships, and other naval assets in near real-time. This integration is essential for network-centric warfare, enabling coordinated targeting and vastly improving the offensive and defensive capabilities of China’s carrier strike groups. Intensive trials with multiple prototypes were underway in late 2023, signaling its nearing operational readiness.
The development and impending deployment of the KJ-600 are a clear indication of China’s ambition to create a true blue-water navy capable of global power projection. Currently, the E-2 Hawkeye family is the only fixed-wing carrier-based AEW&C aircraft in service worldwide. By developing its own equivalent, China is filling a crucial capability gap that will allow its carriers to operate with greater independence and effectiveness, mirroring the operational doctrines of leading naval powers.
As the KJ-600 prepares to join the fleet, potentially from 2025, its integration with carrier-based fighter jets like the J-15 and future J-35 stealth aircraft will mark a pivotal moment. This sophisticated platform is set to dramatically expand the operational reach and strategic impact of China’s naval aviation, redefining the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.