The carrier was built by the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation in Dalian. According to state media service Xinhua, initial work on the vessel began in November 2013, and construction of its hull in a drydock began in March 2015. The government did not publicly confirm the ships existence until construction was well underway. In December 2015, a Chinese defense ministry spokesman confirmed that the ship was a carrier, saying that design and construction work is under way.
By the end of the year, the ship was substantially structurally complete.
The carrier was launched on 26 April 2017.The vessel will undergo fitting-out and sea trials for several years before it enters service sometime around 2020. The name was not revealed at the launch ceremony, though earlier reports said that it will be Shandong. While her predecessor Liaoning has been used largely as a training ship since entering service in 2012, the 001A carrier is expected to be used in regular military operational service in the face of Chinas increased activity in the South China Sea and North Koreas nuclear ambitions.
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The carrier was built by the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation in Dalian. According to state media service Xinhua, initial work on the vessel began in November 2013, and construction of its hull in a drydock began in March 2015. The government did not publicly confirm the ships existence until construction was well underway. In December 2015, a Chinese defense ministry spokesman confirmed that the ship was a carrier, saying that design and construction work is under way.
By the end of the year, the ship was substantially structurally complete.
The carrier was launched on 26 April 2017.The vessel will undergo fitting-out and sea trials for several years before it enters service sometime around 2020. The name was not revealed at the launch ceremony, though earlier reports said that it will be Shandong. While her predecessor Liaoning has been used largely as a training ship since entering service in 2012, the 001A carrier is expected to be used in regular military operational service in the face of Chinas increased activity in the South China Sea and North Koreas nuclear ambitions.
