China has rapidly expanded its naval capabilities in recent years, with a growing fleet of aircraft carriers leading the way. The Liaoning, China’s first aircraft carrier, completed a major overhaul and upgrade program in January 2019, while the second, the Type 001A, successfully completed sea trials and is poised for operational deployment. A third aircraft carrier is also in development, solidifying China’s commitment to expanding its naval force. Although China still trails behind the United States in terms of technological advancement, the addition of the Shandong and Liaoning aircraft carriers plays a pivotal role in China’s long-term naval development and its ability to execute future missions abroad.

China’s interest in aircraft carriers dates back to the 1980s, but significant progress was made when they acquired the partially constructed Kuznetsov-class Varyag aircraft carrier from Ukraine in 1998. After extensive renovations at the Dalian naval shipyard between 2002 and 2012, the ship was renamed Liaoning (also known as Type 001) and was commissioned on September 25, 2012.

Currently, there are only two active Kuznetsov-class aircraft carriers in the world, one belonging to the Russian Navy (Admiral Kuznetsov) and the other to China (Liaoning). While Admiral Kuznetsov can carry approximately 20 aircraft, primarily Su-33 and Su-25 fighters, Liaoning is more versatile, acting as both a cruiser and an aircraft carrier.

Liaoning’s design retains elements from its predecessor. The hull is treated to resist metal corrosion and has been freshly repainted. The island superstructure is situated on the starboard side in the middle of the ship and houses sensors and system management components. The expansive flight deck is equipped with a ski-jump for launching aircraft, and an electromagnetic aircraft launch system is used for takeoffs. The ship has a full load displacement of 67,500 tons, a beam of 75 meters, and a draft of 8.97 meters. Two elevators are positioned along the starboard side, facilitating aircraft movement to and from the hangar.

Liaoning is armed with a Type 348 active electronically scanned array radar and a Sea Eagle radar. Its air defense system features three Type 1130 close-in weapon systems, capable of firing 9,000 rounds per minute. Additionally, it boasts 18 cells of the Flying Leopard FL-3000N missile system, which can engage subsonic and supersonic targets within a range of six to nine kilometers. Anti-submarine warfare capabilities are supported by anti-submarine missile launchers, and space previously occupied by old anti-ship missile tubes has been repurposed.

While China has made substantial investments in aircraft carrier development, it lacks the technology to produce nuclear-powered carriers. Liaoning is powered by steam turbines generated from eight boilers, driving four propellers and producing a total capacity of 200,000 horsepower. The ship also features turbine and diesel generators to support onboard activities. Liaoning can reach a maximum speed of 32 knots, but, unlike American carriers with nuclear propulsion, it is dependent on refueling, limiting its operational range to 3,850 nautical miles at 32 knots or 7,000 nautical miles at 16 knots. The carrier can sustain operations at sea for up to 45 consecutive days without support from auxiliary ships, with a crew of approximately 2,000 personnel.

Liaoning is designed to accommodate around 50 aircraft, including helicopters and fixed-wing planes. Its air wing consists of the Shenyang J-15 carrier-based fighter aircraft, the Z-18 medium transport helicopter, and the Harbin Z-9 utility helicopter.

Initially used for training purposes, Liaoning underwent a major upgrade in August 2018, enhancing its combat readiness. Improvements included the replacement of the braking cable system, the addition of a grid system on the deck for emergency assistance, and the expansion of the superstructure and control tower. Boilers and electrical systems were also optimized for greater stability and efficiency.

While Liaoning symbolizes China’s growing naval power, its use in combat environments poses challenges due to its vulnerability to anti-ship and air-to-surface missiles. Its operational area in the South China Sea is limited, given the proximity of neighboring countries. Military analysts suggest that Liaoning’s primary role may be in the Taiwan Strait, where it can deter potential threats to Chinese naval unity and reinforce Beijing’s ambition to reunify Taiwan with the mainland.