China has landed the first fighter jet on its new aircraft carrier “The Liaoning”, reports the samaylive.com.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) said that it’s a move that would help to show its growing military might amid simmering maritime disputes with some of its key neighbours.
“Capabilities of the carrier platform and the J-15 have been tested, meeting all requirements and achieving good compatibility,” the PLA Navy said.
Liaoning (16) is the first aircraft carrier commissioned into the PLAN. She was launched on December 4, 1988 and renamed Varyag in 1990. The ship was purchased in 1998 by the People’s Republic of China from Ukraine and towed to Dalian Shipyard in north eastern China. After extensive refit and sea trials, the ship was commissioned into the PLAN as Liaoning on September 25, 2012.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff,November 26, 2012; Image: Flot