China reportedly building first aircraft carrier: mediaOctober 1, 2015 - 11:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - New satellite images show China may be building its first indigenous aircraft carrier in the northeastern port of Dalian, Reuters reports citing IHS Jane's Defense Weekly. Little is known about China's aircraft carrier program, which is a state secret, though Chinese state media have hinted new vessels are being built. The Pentagon, in a report earlier this year, said Beijing could build multiple aircraft carriers over the next 15 years. IHS Jane's said the unidentified hull was in an advanced state of construction at a shipyard in Dalian. "While a conclusive identification of the hull as an aircraft carrier cannot be made until work is observed on the upper decks and potential flight deck, the slow pace of assembly and outline suggests a military hull under construction," it said in an emailed sent on Thursday, October 1. The dry dock is "associated" with the refit and repair of China's existing carrier, the Liaoning, IHS Jane's said, according to Reuters. The ship could also be a new class of amphibious assault ship or helicopter carrier, it added. The Liaoning, a carrier bought from Ukraine in 1998 and refitted in China, has taken part in military exercises, including in the disputed South China Sea, but is not yet fully operational. Successfully operating the Liaoning is the first step in what some military experts believe will be the deployment of Chinese-built carriers by 2020. Photo. Jane's Defense Weekly Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865. Armenian, Azerbaijani heads of parliament meet in Switzerland President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan. Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. |