China's first domestically built aircraft carrier goes to sea
China's domestically built Type 001A aircraft carrier began its first sea trial in the Yellow Sea, nearly a month later than planned.
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Type 001A leaves Dalian port for sea trials. Photo:Weibo. |
China's domestically built aircraft carrier Type 001A leaves the shipyard in Dalianat 6:45 this morning, began its first sea trials,Xinhuareport
The voyage is to test the electrical systems and engines of China's first domestically built aircraft carrier.Local authorities have declared a restricted area in the Yellow Sea, off the coast of Dalian, from May 13 to May 18.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is believed to have supervised the testing of the vessel last week, when he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Dalian, according toSCMP.
The 70,000-ton aircraft carrier was launched in April 2017 and was scheduled to make its maiden voyage in April, the anniversary of the founding of the Chinese navy. However, the plan was postponed by nearly a month, but China did not give a clear reason.
Type 001AIt is expected to be commissioned into the Chinese navy later this year, earlier than the planned 2019. An anonymous source said it was "too early to judge" the ship's combat readiness.Type 001A was laid down in November 2013 and began testing at the port in September 2017.
Naval experts say Chinese engineers and designers have studied the latest US and Soviet military technology in an effort to build the new aircraft carrier to meet the navy's requirements.
China has only recently commissioned the Liaoning aircraft carrier, which was converted from a ship purchased from Ukraine in 1998 and officially commissioned into the navy in 2012. This is considered the foundation for China to develop its own aircraft carrier program, with the ambition of possessing a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier by 2025.
