Editor's Note:
China's first domestically-built aircraft carrier will be officially launched soon this year. Construction of the giant vessel, currently called the Type 001A, began in 2013.
The strength of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has grown since the 2012 inauguration of its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, which has since increased its combat capabilities and completed blue sea exercises.
Experts say China needs at least three modern aircraft carriers, ideally five or six, to protect the country's maritime interests, which face disputes over the ownership of islands with other countries. Photos show that the new aircraft carrier, currently under construction at the Dalian Shipyard, has been painted the gray color of the PLA, signaling it is nearly ready to launch. The Defense Ministry in March confirmed that the carrier has entered its final stage of construction. With the inauguration of the Type 001A, China will become the seventh country behind the U.S., Russia, Britain, France, Italy and Spain, to have shown it is able to build its own carriers. Military experts have suggested the new carrier will be put into active service before 2020.
We put together some graphics showing the data of the Liaoning, Type 001A as well as figures from U.S. naval power in comparison.
