China: Carrier plans move a big step forward

China has taken a major step toward commissioning its first aircraft carrier by largely completing the restoration of a derelict ship bought from Ukraine.

The project included all living and working areas, plus engines, navigation systems and power-generating equipment, according to Hong Kong-based Kanwa Asian Defence magazine. Work is still needed on the aircraft elevator and flight deck, it added, and it is unclear when the restoration will be completed.

The US Department of Defence has said it expects the ship to be relaunched at any time as a platform for training pilots.

China bought the mothballed carrier in 1998 and towed the ship - which had no engine or rudder - to the north-eastern port of Dalian for the refit. Work on its internal systems took about four years.

The magazine reported that the restoration was intended to make the ship fully functional and to train technicians who will build China's future carriers.

"This has been a gigantic project and is virtually as complicated as building a brand-new aircraft carrier," Kanwa quoted a military industry source as saying.

The Varyag is a ski jump-style carrier with a displacement of about 55,000 tonnes, much smaller than US carriers.

China's secretive military has not commented beyond vague statements that China will most likely have such ships in future.

China is believed to be buying Russian Su-33 carrier-based fighters as well as adapting its own J-11 jets for carrier use.