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China Unveils KJ-600: New Carrier-Based Early-Warning Aircraft

1/3/2026

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Summary

Story summary

China's KJ-600 is its first fixed-wing carrier-based early-warning aircraft, designed for ski-jump and catapult operations.
It debuted at the Victory Day parade in September.
Analysts say the KJ-600's specifications resemble the U.S. Navy's E-2D Hawkeye.
The December issue of Shipborne Weapons speculates that the AEP-400 engines are less powerful.
The lighter design is deemed suitable for China's Kuznetsov-class carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong.

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Story summary

China's KJ-600 is its first fixed-wing carrier-based early-warning aircraft, designed for ski-jump and catapult operations.
It debuted at the Victory Day parade in September.
Analysts say the KJ-600's specifications resemble the U.S. Navy's E-2D Hawkeye.
The December issue of Shipborne Weapons speculates that the AEP-400 engines are less powerful.
The lighter design is deemed suitable for China's Kuznetsov-class carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong.