The 'Five-Piece Carrier Set' Is an Important Achievement in the People's Navy's Accelerated Transformation and Development

“航母五件套”是人民海军加速转型建设重要成果

PLA Daily (解放军报) 9 May 2026

Summary

Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Senior Colonel Jiang Bin confirmed on May 9 that the People's Liberation Army Navy has completed what Chinese media terms the 'five-piece carrier set'—comprising the J-35 stealth carrier-based fighter, a multi-role catapult-launched carrier fighter, a fixed-wing airborne early warning aircraft, a fixed-wing electronic warfare aircraft, and anti-submarine helicopters—framing the achievement as a foundational component of carrier battle group system-of-systems operational capability. The official acknowledgment confirms that the PLAN has closed a long-standing gap in organic carrier air wing capability, particularly in fixed-wing AEW and electronic warfare, which had been a recognized limitation of earlier Liaoning- and Shandong-class operations. This statement is useful evidence that Fujian-class catapult operations have matured sufficiently for Beijing to publicly claim a full-spectrum carrier air wing, marking a qualitative shift in PLAN power projection potential.

The MND officially acknowledged for the first time the completion of the 'five-piece carrier set,' confirming public induction of fixed-wing carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft and fixed-wing early warning aircraft alongside stealth and catapult-launched fighters and anti-submarine helicopters—a meaningful confirmation of carrier air wing maturation that analysts have been tracking.

Translation

On the afternoon of May 9, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director of the Ministry of National Defense News Bureau and Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson, released information on recent military-related issues.

Reporter: According to reports, with the induction of multiple new types of aircraft, the People's Navy has successfully completed the 'five-piece carrier set' (航母五件套), comprising stealth carrier-based fighters, multi-role catapult-launched carrier-based fighters, fixed-wing carrier-based early warning aircraft, fixed-wing electronic warfare aircraft, and anti-submarine helicopters. What is your comment on this?

Jiang Bin: Thank you all for your attention to the development and construction of the Chinese Navy. Regarding what the media calls the 'five-piece carrier set,' this is an important component in building the carrier battle group's system-of-systems operational capability (体系作战能力), and is also an important achievement in the People's Navy's accelerated transformation and development. Building a powerful People's Navy embodies the generations-long aspiration of the Chinese nation to grow strong through the sea, and is an important guarantee for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Entering the new era, under the firm leadership of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission, and Chairman Xi, the pace of the People's Navy's modernization has grown ever more solid and forceful. From the air to the undersea, from coastal waters to the open ocean, the types and functions of various weapons platforms have been continuously improved, achieving leap-forward development and innovative breakthroughs, providing stronger guarantees for defending national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

The Chinese Navy has always upheld the concept of a maritime community with a shared future (海洋命运共同体). Whether in Gulf of Aden escort missions, international humanitarian relief, or hospital ships carrying out 'Harmonious Mission' (和谐使命) tasks, practice has proven that a powerful Chinese Navy is always an anchor of peace and a bridge of cooperation for the world. We are willing to work together with the navies of all countries, to pull together and cooperate sincerely, making new and greater contributions to maintaining maritime security and world peace.

Original Chinese

5月9日下午，国防部新闻局副局长、国防部新闻发言人蒋斌大校就近期涉军问题发布消息。记者：据报道，随着多型新式战机列装，人民海军成功配齐隐身舰载战斗机、多用途弹射舰载战斗机、固定翼舰载预警机、固定翼电子战机和反潜直升机等“航母五件套”。请问对此有何评论？蒋斌：感谢大家对中国海军发展建设的关注。关于媒体所说的“航母五件套”，这是形成航母编队体系作战能力的重要一环，也是人民海军加速转型建设的重要成果。建设一支强大的人民海军，寄托着中华民族向海图强的世代夙愿，是实现中华民族伟大复兴的重要保障。进入新时代，在党中央、中央军委和习主席坚强领导下，人民海军现代化建设步伐愈发坚实有力，从空中到水下，从近海到远洋，各型武器平台种类、功能不断完善，实现跨越式发展、创新性突破，为捍卫国家主权、安全、发展利益提供更强有力的保障。中国海军始终秉持海洋命运共同体理念，无论是亚丁湾护航、国际人道主义救援，还是医院船执行“和谐使命”任务，实践证明，一支强大的中国海军始终是世界的和平之锚、合作之桥。我们愿与各国海军一道，同舟共济、精诚合作，为维护海洋安全和世界和平作出新的更大贡献。