China launches first indigenously built aircraft carrier, to be commissioned before 2020

China on Wednesday launched its second aircraft carrier and, the first to be developed and built indigenously from the Dalian shipyard in Liaoning Province.

Known as the Type 001A, the 50,000-tonne new aircraft carrier is based on the Soviet Kuznetsov-class design, with a ski jump-style deck for taking off and a conventional oil-fueled steam turbine power plant, reports Xinhua.

It is expected to be closer in size to the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered 100,000-ton Nimitz-class ships.

Its speed and the capability to spend time at sea is comparable to U.S. nuclear-powered carriers.

Besides Type 001A, China has Liaoning, a refitted Soviet Union-made carrier that was put into commission in the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in 2012

In comparison, the United States operates ten aircraft carriers while India has one 45,400 ton INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier.

India has plans to develop a nuclear powered 65, 000 tons INS Vishal aircraft carrier. It is being planned to enter service in 2025.

China's second aircraft carrier is expected to be formally commissioned before 2020, after conducing sea trials and the arrival of its full air complement.

Beijing started building its second carrier in November 2013, with dock construction starting in March 2015. The main body of the carrier has been completed, with major systems equipment installed.

The main body of the carrier has been completed, with equipment of major systems including propulsion and electricity installed. After the launch, it will undergo equipment debugging, outfitting and comprehensive mooring trials.

Reportedly, China is planning to build at least two more carriers with one of them, the Type 002, to be already under construction at a shipyard outside Shanghai.