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China has launched its first indigenous aircraft carrier – sending a strong message to the world about its growing defence industry capabilties. The 50,000-ton aircraft carrier is being called a "significant upgrade" from China's other aircraft carrier – the Liaoning. Both Japan and India are likely to be wary of this latest show of defence prowess by China. We take a look at some interesting facts about China's latest aircraft carrier and how it provides a big boost to the dragon's military capabilities: (Reuters Photo)
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Like the Liaoning, the new aircraft carrier is based on the former Soviet Union's Kuznetsov-class design. (Reuters Photo)
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It has a ski jump style deck for taking off. The aircraft carrier has a conventional oil-fueled steam turbine power plant. (Reuters Photo)
Development of the new carrier began in 2013 and moved into high-gear in 2015. The construction of this new aircraft carrier is believed to have benefited greatly from lessons learned in fitting-out the Liaoning. <br /><br /> Both ships suffer some of the limitations inherent in the design, including a ski jump-style launching system that limits the amount of fuel and bombs its Chinese J-15 fighters can carry, says Associated Press. (Reuters Photo) -
The new aircraft carrier is not expected to enter active service until 2020. Putting the carrier into water marked progress in China's efforts to design and build a domestic aircraft carrier, state-run Xinhua news agency has said. (Reuters Photo)
The launch of the new aircraft carrier comes amid China's growing assertiveness in South China Sea. <br /><br /> China claims almost all of the South China Sea. This is despite objections from the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam. China has also created artificial islands in the area. Some of these islands have been outfitted with military features, a fact that has been objected to by other countries. (Reuters Photo)
