China's KJ-600 Early Warning Aircraft: Why Interoperability Trumped Aerial Refueling

Can a single aircraft bridge the gap between two generations of aircraft carriers? China's newest early warning plane, the KJ-600, might've sacrificed long-range endurance for exactly that kind of versatility.

China KJ-600 Aircraft Carrier Interoperability Across Generations

According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the December issue of Shipborne Weapons suggests that the KJ-600's apparent lack of aerial refueling capability isn't a design flaw but a calculated strategic choice. By keeping the airframe light, the aircraft can potentially operate from both catapult-equipped carriers like the Fujian and older ski-jump vessels.

The KJ-600 made its public debut during a parade in early September 2025, and video later showed it operating on the Fujian, which entered service late last year. While its specs are often compared to the US Navy’s E-2D Hawkeye, the absence of a refueling probe was noted as "puzzling" by naval analysts.

Balancing Power and Weight

The analysis indicates that the AEP-400 turboprop engines might not support the extra weight of a refueling system while maintaining the ability to take off from shorter, non-catapult runways. This allows the Liaoning and Shandong to remain vital components of China's naval reach even as the fleet modernizes.