China to Show off Locally-made Aircraft Carrier, Naval Might At Parade

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)  has planned to showcase new and upgraded locally-made aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and destroyers during a military parade that is set to take place between 22 and 25 April.

"At this naval parade the PLA Navy ships and aircraft to be revealed are the Liaoning aircraft carrier, new types of nuclear submarines, new types of destroyers, as well as fighter aircraft. Some ships will be revealed for the first time," Vice-Admiral Qiu Yanpeng said Saturday.

"Along with the Liaoning, the first Type 001A aircraft carrier could be shown at the parade," naval analyst Li Jie told the South China Morning Post.

While the Liaoning was based on an unfinished Russian Kuznetsov-class carrier, Type 001A was built in China. The Liaoning has recently undergone massive modifications, including to its superstructure, according to a report by Sputnik.

Apart from carriers, the PLAN could showcase its new 10,000-tonne Type 055 missile destroyers. They are capable of carrying some 120 missiles of various types, including surface-to-air, anti-ship, and anti-submarine missiles, as well as long-range cruise missiles. Type 075 amphibious ships might also participate in the event, the report stated further.