China’s first indigenous aircraft carrier begins sea trial

China’s first indigenous aircraft carrier begins sea trial

China

News:

1. China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier began trial from a port in North-eastern China

Important Facts:

1. This carrier will be China’s second aircraft carrier and first to be built and designed entirely in China
2. The carrier is based on the former Soviet Union’s Kuznetsov class design. It has ski jump-style deck for taking off and a conventional oil-fueled steam turbine power plant.
3. The carrier is expected to be commissioned by 2020
4. The trial aimed to demonstrate the reliability and capability of the ship’s propulsion systems
5. China’s present operational carrier, the Liaoning was bought second-hand from Ukraine. It started service in 2012
6. The first domestically built aircraft is a landmark step in China’s mission to modernize its military to increase its prominence in the disputed South China Sea.