China's first aircraft carrier started sea trials

10.08.2011 China started sea trials of its first aircraft carrier, reports news agency Xinhua. Unofficially named Shi Lang, the ship left Dalian shipyard on Wednesday, Aug 10. According to Chinese defense ministry, first phase of the sea trials will be short, and then the ship will return to the yard.

Shi Lang is retrofitted Soviet carrier Varyag which was purchased in 1998 from Ukraine at the price of metal scrap. It was said then that the non-completed ship would be refitted into floating casino.

However, early in June 2011 Chief of Chinese General Staff Chen Bingde declared that former Varyag was being outfitted and modernized at Dalian shipyard. The carrier will be launched in June, said the official refusing to specify other details. According to foreign media, ex-Varyag was equipped with new radars, arms, and some computing systems. Reportedly, the aircraft carrier will join Chinese Navy in 2012.

It was also reported in mid-July 2011 that China had started construction of a domestically designed aircraft carrier. As was said, that carrier would be comparable to former Varyag in size.