In a highly anticipated display of military might, China has officially unveiled the KJ-600, a carrier-based early warning and control aircraft, during a massive military parade in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its victory in World War II. The unveiling of this fixed-wing aircraft is seen as the “final piece of the puzzle” for China’s aircraft carrier group operations, a key step in transforming its navy into a true blue-water force capable of sustained global operations.
The KJ-600 bears a striking resemblance to the U.S. Navy’s E-2D Hawkeye , which for decades has been the world’s only operational carrier-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. Both are twin-engine, propeller-driven aircraft featuring a large rotating radome mounted on top of the fuselage. This design allows the aircraft to serve as a flying command center, providing a crucial “eye in the sky” for an entire carrier strike group. It can detect incoming threats, from low-flying missiles to enemy aircraft, from hundreds of miles away, and can also guide friendly fighter jets to their targets.
The strategic significance of the KJ-600 for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) cannot be overstated. Until now, China’s aircraft carriers have relied on helicopters for early warning, which have limited range, endurance, and radar capabilities. The KJ-600, with its larger radar and longer flight time, will significantly enhance the situational awareness and combat effectiveness of China’s carrier groups, particularly for its advanced Type 003 aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which features an electromagnetic catapult launch system similar to those on U.S. carriers.
The KJ-600’s debut is a clear signal that China is rapidly closing the technological gap with the U.S. in naval aviation. While some military analysts have labeled the KJ-600 as a “copycat” design of the E-2D, others argue that it is a logical and proven configuration for a carrier-based AWACS aircraft. Regardless of its origins, the aircraft represents a homegrown solution to a critical military capability. It will allow China to project air power further from its shores and better defend its fleet against a range of advanced threats, thereby bolstering its naval ambitions in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
