New | China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier will apply lessons learned modifying Liaoning to provide superior vessel

New Type 001A carrier will include upgraded power system and layout

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China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, a Type 0001A, is expected to outperform its first carrier Liaoning, seen here, in propulsion system and other technology. Photo: AP

Published: 7:30am, 16 Nov 2016Updated: 6:04pm, 27 Apr 2017

China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier will boast a more advanced power system and other designs that are improvements on the nation’s first carrier, Liaoning, which was brought from Ukraine and refurbished, military observers said on Tuesday.

They made their comments after state broadcaster CCTV ran video clips of Liaoning that showed the aircraft carrier is using the original Russian-designed propulsion system.

To mark the 4th anniversary of the successful maiden take-off and landing of the carrier-based J-15 on Liaoning later this month , CCTV interviewed sailors working on the platform. One segment showed Master Sergeant Zhang Hua, a electromechanical department officer in the machine room, igniting one of eight boilers that are part of the 1970s TB-12 engines.

A screen grab from a CCTV programme shows sailors in the machine room of the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Part of the Russian-designed machine room of the aircraft carrier Liaoning shows equipment from the 1970s. Photo: SCMP Pictures

The video that aired on Sunday showed how technical personnel work in the outdated machine room of the vessel.