View source for Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning

{{short description|Chinese aircraft carrier}}
{{redirect|Type 001|other uses|Type 1 (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
| infobox caption = ''Liaoning'' (16)
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = Aircraft Carrier Liaoning CV-16.jpg
| Ship caption = The aircraft carrier ''Liaoning'' in Hong Kong in 2017
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = 
| Builders = [[Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company|Dalian Shipbuilding Industry]]
| Operators = {{navy|CHN}}
| Class before = {{sclass|Kiev|aircraft carrier|4}}
| Class after = [[Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong|Type 002 ''Shandong'']]
| Subclasses = 
| Cost = 
| Built range = 
| In service range = 
| In commission range = 
| Total ships building = 
| Total ships planned = 
| Total ships completed = 1
| Total ships cancelled = 
| Total ships active = 
| Total ships laid up = 
| Total ships lost = 
| Total ships retired = 
| Total ships preserved = 
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship country = [[Soviet Union]] → [[Ukraine]]
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Soviet Union|naval}} → {{shipboxflag|Ukraine|naval}}
| Ship name = ''Riga'' (1988) then ''Varyag'' (1990)
| Ship namesake = City of [[Riga, Latvia|Riga]], [[Latvia]] (1988) then [[Russian cruiser Varyag (1899)|''Varyag'']], named for the [[Varangians]] (1990), the name ''Varyag'' was then adopted by [[Russian cruiser Varyag (1983)|another cruiser]].
| Ship ordered = 1983
| Ship builder = *[[Black Sea Shipyard|Mykolaiv South]]
* Nevskoye Planning and Design Bureau
| Ship laid down = 6 December 1985
| Ship launched = 4 December 1988
| Ship completed = Abandoned (68% complete)<ref name="defensenews1992">{{cite news|title=Ukrainians Slice Up Carrier Ulyanovsk|work=Defense News|date= 21–27 September 1992|quote=A second aircraft carrier is 68 percent complete and lacks electronics, weapons systems and aircraft, but sale of the carrier to India or China "is a fairy tale scenario," said Antonov. Russia is the only realistic potential purchaser.}}</ref>
| Ship fate = * Sold to a Chinese buyer, 1998
* Transferred to the Chinese navy, 2002
| Ship notes = 
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = title
| Ship country = [[China]]
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|China|naval}}
| Ship name = *''Liaoning''
* {{nobold|({{zh|辽宁舰}})}}
| Ship namesake = [[Liaoning]] Province
| Ship ordered = 
| Ship awarded = 
| Ship builder = [[Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company|Dalian Shipbuilding Industry]]
| Ship original cost = [[US$]] 120 Million (Former Ukraine)
| Ship yard number = 
| Ship way number = 
| Ship laid down = 
| Ship launched = 
| Ship sponsor = 
| Ship christened = 
| Ship acquired = 
| Ship completed = 2011
| Ship commissioned = 25 September 2012
| Ship status = In active service
| Ship motto = ([[Simplified Chinese]]:保卫祖国，勇争第一)：Defend the motherland, strive to be the first.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.163.com/dy/article/HAF8SMSS0552IAMR.html |title=細看福建艦艦徽大有玄機，使命任務已經標註，寓意深遠 |publisher=網易 |date=22 June 2022 |accessdate=2022-06-22 |archive-date=22 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622150605/https://www.163.com/dy/article/HAF8SMSS0552IAMR.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| Ship notes = 
| Ship badge = [[File:PLANS16-BADGE.png|125px]]
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = for ''Varyag'' as originally designed
| Ship type = [[STOBAR]] [[aircraft carrier]]
| Ship class = Type 001, {{sclass|Kuznetsov|aircraft carrier}}
| Ship displacement = * 43,000 tons, light<ref name="Kuzspecs">{{cite web |url=http://rusnavy.com/nowadays/strength/surfaceships/kuznetzov/ |title=Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Kuznetsov |publisher=Rusnavy.com |access-date=22 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007100758/http://rusnavy.com/nowadays/strength/surfaceships/kuznetzov/ |archive-date=7 October 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kuznetsov specifications">{{cite web |title=Kuznetsov Class: Project 1143.5 |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/1143_5-specs.htm |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |date=7 September 2011 |access-date=22 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008153638/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/1143_5-specs.htm |archive-date=8 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 54,500 tons, normal<ref name=cctv/>
* 60,900 tons, full load <ref name=cctv>{{Cite web |url= http://m.news.cctv.com/2017/04/26/ARTIRahhgJrxvSuVjhemYncG170426.shtml |title= 辽宁舰：我国第一艘航空母舰 |date=2017-04-26 |publisher= 央视新闻客户端 |language=zh-hans |accessdate=2022-02-10 }}</ref>
| Ship length = *{{convert|306.4
|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|o/a]]<ref name=cctv/>
* {{convert|270|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[Length at the waterline|w/l]]
| Ship beam = *{{convert|74.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|o/a]]<ref name=cctv/>
* {{convert|35|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[Length at the waterline|w/l]]
| Ship height = 
| Ship draft = 
| Ship depth = 
| Ship hold depth = 
| Ship decks = 
| Ship deck clearance = 
| Ship power = Steam
| Ship propulsion = *Steam TV12 turbines, 8 KVG-4 boilers,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mil.today/2018/Navy14/ |title=Source: New Russian-Made Boilers for Admiral Kuznetsov to Serve 25 Years }}</ref> 4 shafts, {{convert|200000|hp|MW|abbr=on}}{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}
* 4 × {{convert|50000|hp|MW|abbr=on}} turbines{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}
* 9 × {{convert|2011|hp|kW|abbr=on}} turbogenerators{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}
* 6 × {{convert|2011|hp|kW|abbr=on}} diesel generators{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}
* 4 × fixed pitch propellers{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}
| Ship speed = {{convert|32|kn|lk=in}}
| Ship range = {{convert|3850|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at 32 knots
| Ship endurance = 45 days
| Ship boats = 
| Ship complement = *1,960 crew
* 626 air group
* 40 flag staff
| Ship sensors = * [[Type 346 radar]] S-band AESA
* [[Type 382 Radar]] 3-D search
| Ship EW = 
| Ship aircraft facilities = 
| Ship notes = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Header caption = for ''Liaoning'' after refit
| Ship class = [[Type 001 aircraft carrier|Type 001]] [[aircraft carrier]]
| Ship armament = * 3 × [[Type 730 CIWS|Type 1130 CIWS]]
* 3 × [[HQ-10]] (18-cell missile system)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sinodefence.com/liaoning-varyag-class/ |title=Liaoning (Varyag) Aircraft Carrier – SinoDefence |access-date=27 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329031846/http://sinodefence.com/liaoning-varyag-class/ |archive-date=29 March 2016 }}</ref>
| Ship armor = 
| Ship aircraft = *24 [[Shenyang J-15]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/05/chinas-j-15-carrierborne-fighter-sizing-up-the-competition/|title=China's J-15 Carrierborne Fighter: Sizing up the Competition |author=Rick Joe |date=2021-05-20|publisher=The Diplomat |language=en |accessdate=2022-06-18 }}</ref>
* 6 [[Changhe Z-18F]]
* 6 [[Changhe Z-18J]]
* 2 [[Harbin Z-9]]
* Total of 40 fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
}}
|}

'''''Liaoning''''' ('''16'''; {{zh|s=辽宁舰|p=Liáoníng Jiàn}}) is a Chinese '''Type 001''' [[aircraft carrier]]. The [[Chinese aircraft carrier programme|first aircraft carrier]] commissioned into the [[People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force]], she was originally classified as a [[training ship]], intended to allow the Navy to experiment, train and gain familiarity with aircraft carrier operations. Following upgrades and additional training in late 2018, Chinese state media announced that the ship would shift to a combat role in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-25 |title=Beijing says Liaoning is now a 'combat carrier' |url=https://asiatimes.com/2019/04/beijing-says-liaoning-is-now-a-combat-carrier/ |access-date=2020-09-10 |website=Asia Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

Originally [[Keel laying|laid down]] in 1985 for the [[Soviet Navy]] as the {{sclass|Kuznetsov|aircraft carrier|0}} aircraft carrier '''''Riga''''', she was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 4 December 1988 and renamed '''''Varyag''''' in 1990.<ref name=stackup>{{cite web |url=http://chinapower.csis.org/aircraft-carrier/|title=How does China's first aircraft carrier stack up? |publisher=CSIS China Power |access-date=25 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920023328/http://chinapower.csis.org/aircraft-carrier/ |archive-date=20 September 2016 |url-status=live|date=9 December 2015}}</ref> After the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] in 1991, construction was halted and the ship was put up for sale by [[Ukraine]]. The stripped [[Hulk (ship type)|hulk]] was purchased in 1998 and after much delay, towed to the [[Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company|Dalian naval shipyard]] in northeast China, arriving in 2002.

The ship was rebuilt and commissioned into the [[People's Liberation Army Navy]] (PLAN) as ''Liaoning'' on 25 September 2012. Its Chinese ship class designation is Type 001. In November 2016, the political commissar of ''Liaoning'', Commodore Li Dongyou, stated that ''Liaoning'' was combat-ready.<ref name=stackup/>

==Classification==
{{See also|Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits#Aircraft carriers}}

The ''Kuznetsov''-class ships were originally designated by the Soviet Navy as "{{lang|ru|тяжёлый авианесущий крейсер}}" (''tyazholiy avianesushchiy kreyser'', TAKR or TAVKR), meaning "heavy [[aircraft cruiser|aircraft-carrying cruiser]]". In addition to aircraft, the ships were designed to carry [[P-700 Granit]] anti-ship cruise missiles that also form the main armament of the {{sclass|Kirov|battlecruiser|1}}s. This multirole capability allowed the ships to avoid classification as aircraft carriers, thus allowing them to pass through the [[Turkish Straits]] between the [[Black Sea]] and the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. Under the [[Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits|Montreux Convention]], aircraft carriers larger than 15,000 tons are not permitted to pass through the Straits, but there is no displacement limit on other types of capital ships from Black Sea powers.<ref>14 San Diego L. Rev. 681 (1976–1977) ''Kiev and the Montreux Convention: The Aircraft Carrier That Became a Cruiser to Squeeze through the Turkish Straits''; Froman, F. David</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.osaarchivum.org/files/holdings/300/8/3/text/143-4-146.shtml |title=The Tbilisi and the Montreux Convention |publisher=Osaarchivum.org |access-date=8 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601151447/http://www.osaarchivum.org/files/holdings/300/8/3/text/143-4-146.shtml |archive-date=1 June 2012 }}</ref>

In contrast, the People's Liberation Army Navy considers ''Liaoning'' to be an aircraft carrier.<ref name="mod2015">{{cite news|last1=Tao|first1=Zhang|title=Captain delegation of U.S. Navy visits Chinese Liaoning aircraft carrier|url=http://eng.mod.gov.cn/Photos/2015-10/20/content_4625081.htm|work=Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China|date=20 October 2015|access-date=14 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204161821/http://eng.mod.gov.cn/Photos/2015-10/20/content_4625081.htm|archive-date=4 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Since China is not located on the Black Sea and thus not considered a Black Sea power under the Montreux Convention, it does not need and cannot use the tonnage exemption for non-aircraft carrier capital ships. The ship was completed as an aircraft carrier, and cruise missiles were never installed. ''Liaoning'' is equipped only with air defense weapons and must use its aircraft for a surface attack.

==History==
===Origin===
{{other ships|Russian ship Varyag}}

The ship was [[Keel laying|laid down]] as ''Riga'' at [[Black Sea Shipyard|Shipyard 444]] (now Mykolaiv South) in [[Mykolaiv]], [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukrainian SSR]], on 6 December 1985.<ref name="nwcr_flightops">{{cite journal|url=http://www.nwc.navy.mil/press/review/1998/summer/art7su98.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213101112/http://www.nwc.navy.mil/press/review/1998/summer/art7su98.htm|archive-date=13 December 2006 |title=The Self-Designing High-Reliability Organization: Aircraft Carrier Flight Operations at Sea |last1=Rochlin |first1=G. I |last2=La Porte |first2=T. R |last3=Roberts |first3=H |at=Footnote 39 |journal=[[Naval War College Review]] |publisher=Naval War College |date=Autumn 1987 |issue= 3 |volume=LI}}</ref><ref name="nwrc_winter2004_china_ambitions">{{cite journal|url=http://www.nwc.navy.mil/press/Review/2004/Winter/art6-w04.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061212225857/http://www.nwc.navy.mil/press/Review/2004/Winter/art6-w04.htm|archive-date=12 December 2006 |title=China's Aircraft Carrier Ambitions: Seeking Truth from Rumors |last1=Storey |first1=I|last2=Ji |first2=Y |journal=[[Naval War College Review]]|publisher=Naval War College |date=Winter 2004|issue=1 |volume=57}}</ref> Design work was undertaken by the ''Nevskoye Planning and Design Bureau''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.russiafile.com/varyag.htm |title=Aircraft Carrier Varyag |publisher=Russiafile.com |access-date=9 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217124136/http://www.russiafile.com/varyag.htm |archive-date=17 December 2014 }}</ref> [[Ceremonial ship launching|Launched]] on 4 December 1988, the carrier was renamed ''Varyag'' in late 1990, after a [[Russian cruiser Varyag (1899)|previous similarly named cruiser]] launched in 1989. When the [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|Soviet Union collapsed]] in 1991, the ship was only 68% complete.<ref name="defensenews1992"/> Construction was halted, and the ship was put up for sale. The name ''Varyag'' was then adopted by [[Russian cruiser Varyag (1983)|another cruiser]] launched in 1983.

===Sale===

[[Ukraine]] approached [[China]], [[India]], and [[Russia]] as potential buyers.<ref name="defensenews1992"/> China sent a high-level delegation in 1992, which reported that the ship was in good condition and recommended a purchase. However, the Chinese government declined to purchase the ship because of the international diplomatic situation at the time.<ref name=Xu1/> Unable to find a buyer, Ukraine left the ship to deteriorate in the elements.<ref name="washingtonpost2001">{{cite news|last1=Anderson|first1=John Ward|title=Turks Keep Ship Going Round in Circles|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/07/22/turks-keep-ship-going-round-in-circles/4ae7af0c-3004-43ad-9998-ae2941c01497/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=22 July 2001|access-date=24 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224211506/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/07/22/turks-keep-ship-going-round-in-circles/4ae7af0c-3004-43ad-9998-ae2941c01497/|archive-date=24 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1998, the rusting hulk was sold at auction for $20&nbsp;million to Agencia Turistica E Diversões Chong Lot Limitada, a company from [[Macau]]. Chong Lot proposed to tow ''Varyag'' to Macau under pretenses of conversion into a $200&nbsp;million floating hotel and casino;<ref>{{cite news|title=Macau Company Denies Buying Carrier For China|url=http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=1998&dt=1111&pub=Utusan_Express&sec=World_Trend&pg=wt_09.htm|work=Utusan Online|date=11 November 1998|access-date=24 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224132150/http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=1998&dt=1111&pub=Utusan_Express&sec=World_Trend&pg=wt_09.htm|archive-date=24 February 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Western observers were suspicious of the deal since Chong Lot had no listed telephone number, was not located at its listed address, and was run by former officers in the Chinese Navy. Officials in Macau also denied Chong Lot's application to operate a casino. However, analysts noted that ''Varyag'' had deteriorated too much to be used as an operational warship and pointed out that the Chinese Navy was concentrating on submarines.<ref name="nwrc_winter2004_china_ambitions"/><ref name="washingtonpost2001"/> The Soviet carriers {{ship|Soviet aircraft carrier|Kiev||2}} and {{ship|Soviet aircraft carrier|Minsk||2}} had also been sold to China as tourist attractions.

In January 2015, further details emerged in an interview with [[Hong Kong]]-based businessman Xu Zengping by the ''[[South China Morning Post]]''. Xu, a former [[military sports|military]] basketball player, reported that he had been commissioned by the PLAN to purchase the vessel on its behalf, with the floating hotel and casino as a cover story. He was warned that the Chinese Navy did not have the budget to buy the ship, and the Chinese government did not support the purchase. However, Xu was so impressed when touring the ship that he resolved to purchase it using his personal funds. The previous year, Xu had borrowed HK$230&nbsp;million from a Hong Kong business friend, spending HK$6&nbsp;million to create Chong Lot as a Macau [[shell corporation]]. He described a harrowing negotiation in [[Kyiv]], lubricated by bribery and liquor, which helped to arrange victory at the auction. As a precaution, he shipped 40 tonnes of the carrier's blueprints to China overland in eight trucks.<ref name=Xu1>{{cite news| url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1681755/how-xu-zengping-became-middleman-chinas-deal-buy-liaoning| title=The inside story of the Liaoning: how Xu Zengping sealed deal for China's first aircraft carrier| author=Minnie Chan| work=[[South China Morning Post]]| date=19 January 2015| access-date=20 January 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119201801/http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1681755/how-xu-zengping-became-middleman-chinas-deal-buy-liaoning| archive-date=19 January 2015| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1779703/unlucky-guy-tasked-buying-chinas-aircraft-carrier-xu|title='Unlucky guy' tasked with buying China's aircraft carrier: Xu Zengping|author=Minnie Chan|work=South China Morning Post|date=29 April 2015}}</ref>

===Transfer to China===

[[File:USNWC Varyag02.jpg|thumb|left|Ex-''Varyag'' under tow in Istanbul in 2001]]

The passage from Ukraine to China was even more troublesome than the purchase. In June 2000, ''Varyag'' was taken under tow. As the tugboat approached the [[Bosphorus]], Turkey denied permission for the ship to pass through, citing the risk that a gust of wind would turn the ship widthwise and block the entire strait. ''Varyag'' spent the next 16 months being towed around the Black Sea, accruing towing charges of $8,500 a day as Chong Lot stopped paying its bills. The tugboat operator compared its fate to the [[Yellow Fleet]] that was stuck in the [[Suez Canal]] for eight years, and French thrillseekers even landed a helicopter on the ship.<ref name="washingtonpost2001"/> Meanwhile, Chinese officials negotiated with Turkey, offering trade and tourism concessions.<ref name="bbc2001">{{cite news|title=Giant vessel shuts the Bosphorus|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1632156.stm|work=BBC News|date=1 November 2001|access-date=24 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224135701/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1632156.stm|archive-date=24 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2001, Turkey relented and agreed to allow the ship to pass. On 1 November 2001, the Bosphorus was cleared of all other traffic as ''Varyag'' was towed through.<ref name="bbc2001"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Holland |first=Ben |title=After 16 months, Turkey lets half-built aircraft carrier pass through Bosporus |work=AP Worldstream |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=17 December 2014 |date=1 November 2001 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-47883439.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329091356/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-47883439.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 March 2015 }}</ref> On 2 November, ''Varyag'' also passed through the [[Dardanelles]] without incident. On 4 November, ''Varyag'' was caught in a [[Beaufort scale|force 10 gale]] and broke adrift while passing the Greek island of [[Skyros]]. The ship was taken back under tow on 6 November, after one sailor died while attempting to attach the tow lines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UPI Insider |work=Chicago Sun-Times |publisher=Sun-Times Media Group |access-date=17 December 2014 |date=9 November 2001 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4617079.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329091308/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4617079.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 March 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/varyag-emerges-from-storm.html|title=Varyag emerges from storm|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=8 November 2001|access-date=17 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217104940/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/varyag-emerges-from-storm.html|archive-date=17 December 2014}}</ref>

The Suez Canal does not permit passage of "dead" ships&nbsp;– those without an on-board power source&nbsp;– so the hulk was towed through the [[Strait of Gibraltar]], around [[Pointe des Almadies]] and the [[Cape of Good Hope]], past [[Cape Agulhas]] and into the [[Indian Ocean]] and through the [[Straits of Malacca]] at an average speed of {{convert|6|kn}} across the {{convert|15200|nmi|adj=on}} journey. The tugboat fleet called for supplies en route at [[Piraeus]], Greece; [[Las Palmas de Gran Canaria|Las Palmas, Canary Islands]]; [[Maputo]], Mozambique; and [[Singapore]]. ''Varyag'' entered Chinese waters on 20 February 2002, and arrived on 3 March at the [[Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company|Dalian naval shipyard]] in northeast China. The costs included $25&nbsp;million to the Ukrainian government for the hull, nearly $500,000 in transit fees, and $5&nbsp;million for 20 months of towing fees.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}}

Xu Zengping estimated in 2015 that his total out-of-pocket cost was at least US$120&nbsp;million. He insisted that he had never been reimbursed by the Chinese government, and had spent the last 18 years repaying his debts, in part by selling properties such as his home. A source familiar with the acquisition explained that the naval official, Ji Shengde, who initiated the mission had been in prison because of smuggling.<ref name=Xu2>{{cite news| url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1682731/mission-impossible-ii-battle-get-chinas-aircraft-carrier-home| title=Mission impossible II: the battle to get China's aircraft carrier home| author=Minnie Chan| work=[[South China Morning Post]]| date=20 January 2015| access-date=20 January 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120181609/http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1682731/mission-impossible-ii-battle-get-chinas-aircraft-carrier-home| archive-date=20 January 2015| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Contrary to initial reports that the ship had no engines, Xu reported that all four original engines remained intact at the time of purchase, but had been shut down and preserved in grease seals.<ref name=Xu0>{{cite news| url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1681710/sea-trials-how-one-man-bought-china-its-aircraft-carrier?page=all| title=Mission impossible: How one man bought China its first aircraft carrier| author=Minnie Chan| work=[[South China Morning Post]]| date=19 January 2015| access-date=20 January 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121055213/http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1681710/sea-trials-how-one-man-bought-china-its-aircraft-carrier?page=all| archive-date=21 January 2015| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref> A refit restored them to working order in 2011.

===Modernization and refurbishment===

701st Institute was tasked to redesign ''Varyag'' with Zhu Yingfu (朱英富) and Wu Xiaoguang (吴晓光) were assigned respectively as the general designer and deputy general designer. Wang Zhiguo (王治国) was assigned as the general system engineer, and Yang Lei (杨雷) was assigned as the general supervisor.<ref name=DesignTeam>{{cite web |url=http://www.360doc.com/content/17/0314/08/8527076_636684964.shtml |title=Designers |access-date=14 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912012158/http://www.360doc.com/content/17/0314/08/8527076_636684964.shtml |archive-date=12 September 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The workload of converting ''Varyag'' for operational use was equivalent to building ten new destroyers.<ref name=DesignTeam/> ''Varyag'' was moved in June 2005 to a [[dry dock]] at [[Dalian]] ({{Coord|38.935|121.6141|name=Varyag}}). Her hull was [[sandblasted]], scaffolding erected, and the ship's [[Aircraft carrier#Flight deck|island]] was painted in a red marine primer to treat metal corrosion.<ref name="jeffhead">{{cite web |url=http://www.jeffhead.com/redseadragon/varyagtransform.htm |title=The Rising Sea Dragon in Asia Varyag Transformation |publisher=Jeffhead.com |date=4 February 2011 |access-date=9 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920130853/http://www.jeffhead.com/redseadragon/varyagtransform.htm |archive-date=20 September 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Dalian Liaoning China CNS Liaoning (CV-16)-02.jpg|thumb|''Liaoning'' at [[China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation|CSIC]] shipyard in [[Dalian]], China (2012)]]

Observers have noted the installation of [[Type 348 radar|Type 348]] [[active electronically scanned array]] (AESA) radar (four arrays) and [[Type 381 radar|Sea Eagle radar]].{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} The air defence system consists of the Type 1130 [[CIWS]] and the [[HQ-10]] missile system. The [[anti-ship missile]] tubes would not be used, freeing up internal space for hangar or storage use. Russia has explored similar modifications to her sister ship {{Ship|Russian aircraft carrier|Admiral Kuznetsov||2}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Upgrading-the-Admiral-Russias-Kuznetsov-06305/ |title=Upgrading the Admiral: Russia's Kuznetsov |work=Defense Industry Daily |date=8 April 2010 |access-date=17 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110205834/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Upgrading-the-Admiral-Russias-Kuznetsov-06305/|archive-date=10 January 2014}}</ref>

In 2011 an analyst of [[DigitalGlobe]] (later: [[Maxar Technologies|Maxar]]) spotted Liaoning as an aircraft carrier.<ref name="rp220406">{{cite news |url=https://rp-online.de/politik/ukraine-krieg-private-satellitenfirma-maxar-dokumentiert-kriegsgraeuel_aid-67806265 |title=China Carrier Confirmed by General |work=Rheinische Post / rp-online.de |date=6 April 2022 |access-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url= |archive-date= |language=de}}</ref>

On 8 June 2011, General [[Chen Bingde]] made the first public acknowledgement of the ship's refit.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13692558 |title=China Carrier Confirmed by General |work=BBC News |date=8 June 2011 |access-date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609071512/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13692558 |archive-date=9 June 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 27 July 2011, the Chinese Defence Ministry announced it was refitting the vessel for "scientific research, experiment and training".<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite news |title=China refitting aircraft carrier body for research, training |author=Li Gang|url=http://eng.mod.gov.cn/TopNews/2011-07/27/content_4284108.htm |agency=Xinhua News Agency |date=27 July 2011 |access-date=29 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104005718/http://eng.mod.gov.cn/TopNews/2011-07/27/content_4284108.htm|archive-date=4 January 2014}}</ref>

In 2018, ''[[Asia Times]]'' reported that [[Sun Bo (executive)|Sun Bo]], a general manager of [[China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation]], had allegedly passed on technical details of ''Liaoning'' to the [[Central Intelligence Agency]]. Sun was a general manager at the Dalian shipyard where the ship's refurbishment was done.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Frank |title=Disgraced manager at shipbuilding juggernaut allegedly 'sold Chinese carrier intel to CIA' |url=https://asiatimes.com/2018/06/disgraced-csic-manager-allegedly-sold-chinese-carrier-intel-to-cia/ |access-date=14 March 2020 |agency=Asia Times |date=21 June 2018}}</ref>

===Sea trials===

[[File:PLANS Liaoning (CV-16) 20200428.jpg|thumb|''Liaoning'' in the East China Sea (2020)]]

The ship undertook her first [[sea trial]]s from 10 August 2011 to 15 August 2011.<ref name=xhna20110815>{{cite news |title= China's first aircraft carrier completes sea trial |url= http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/video/2011-08/15/c_131050307.htm |agency= Xinhua News Agency |date= 15 August 2011 |access-date= 15 August 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111124150102/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/video/2011-08/15/c_131050307.htm |archive-date= 24 November 2011 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}</ref> On 29 November 2011 the carrier left port for her second set of trials.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://maritimesecurity.asia/free-2/maritime-security-asia/chinas-first-aircraft-carrier-starts-second-trial/ |title=China's first aircraft carrier starts second trial |publisher=MaritimeSecurity.Asia |access-date=15 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502200036/http://maritimesecurity.asia/free-2/maritime-security-asia/chinas-first-aircraft-carrier-starts-second-trial/ |archive-date=2 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=AFP |url=http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/world/12229-chinas-first-aircraft-carrier-starts-2nd-trial |title=China's first aircraft carrier starts 2nd trial &#124; World |publisher=Manilatimes.net |date=30 November 2011 |access-date=15 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209071223/http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/world/12229-chinas-first-aircraft-carrier-starts-2nd-trial |archive-date=9 December 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Agencies |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/dec/15/us-satellite-china-aircraft-carrier |title=US satellite snaps China's first aircraft carrier at sea &#124; World news &#124; guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian |date=15 December 2011 |access-date=15 December 2011 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001091801/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/dec/15/us-satellite-china-aircraft-carrier |archive-date=1 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The carrier completed her eighth sea trial between 7 and 21 June 2012 and returned to Dalian. In July 2012, the ship set out for the longest trials thus far, 25 days.<ref name="shanghaidaily">{{cite news |url=http://www.shanghaidaily.com/national/J15-jets-on-deck-as-carrier-sets-off-on-longest-sea-trials/shdaily.shtml |title=J-15 jets on deck as carrier sets off on longest sea trials |newspaper=Shanghai Daily |date=12 July 2012 |access-date=4 January 2014 |author=Yang, Jian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110082316/http://www.shanghaidaily.com/national/J15-jets-on-deck-as-carrier-sets-off-on-longest-sea-trials/shdaily.shtml |archive-date=10 November 2014}}</ref> The carrier completed sea trials in early August 2012 and loaded [[Shenyang J-15]] aircraft and KJ-88, YJ-83K and YJ-91 missiles in preparation for weapons systems trials.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20120806000083&cid=1101|newspaper=[[China Times]]|title=China's first aircraft carrier ready to enter service: report|date=6 August 2012|access-date=17 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217112926/http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20120806000083&cid=1101|archive-date=17 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During sea trials, ''Liaoning'' experienced a steam burst in the engine compartment which forced the crew to evacuate some parts of the ship, and the ship lost power. The problem was ultimately resolved and power was restored, although the time duration of the problem has not been released by military officials.<ref name=rcd20141022>{{cite news |title=China's Aircraft Carrier Trouble: Spewing Steam and Losing Power|url=http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2014/10/22/chinas_aircraft_carrier_trouble_spewing_steam_and_losing_power_107506.html|access-date=6 November 2014|date=22 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106223026/http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2014/10/22/chinas_aircraft_carrier_trouble_spewing_steam_and_losing_power_107506.html|archive-date=6 November 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Handover to the Navy===

On 23 September 2012, the aircraft carrier was handed over to the PLAN, and was commissioned on 25 September 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-19710040|title = China's first aircraft carrier enters service|work = BBC News|date = 25 September 2012}}</ref> At the commissioning ceremony, the carrier was officially named ''Liaoning'', in honour of [[Liaoning|the province]] in which she was retrofitted.<ref name="Carrier Sept 2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.fpri.org/enotes/2012/201210.chang.aircraftcarrier.pdf|title=Making Waves: Debates Behind China's First Aircraft Carrier|publisher=Foreign Policy Research Institute |date=October 2012|access-date=24 October 2012| author=Chang, Felix K.|page=6|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019133108/http://www.fpri.org/enotes/2012/201210.chang.aircraftcarrier.pdf|archive-date=19 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.china.org.cn/china/2012-09/10/content_26481340.htm |title=China to name its first aircraft carrier 'Liaoning' |work=China.org.cn |author=Pang Li |date=10 September 2012 |access-date=11 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911005257/http://china.org.cn/china/2012-09/10/content_26481340.htm |archive-date=11 September 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 26 December 2012, the ''[[People's Daily]]'' reported that it would take four to five years for ''Liaoning'' to reach full capacity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airforceworld.com/blog/j15-fighter-takeoff-on-carrier-liaoning/ |title=Liaoning aircraft carrier will reach full capacity in 4–5 years |work=AirForceWorld.com |date=26 December 2012 |access-date=27 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027013905/http://www.airforceworld.com/blog/j15-fighter-takeoff-on-carrier-liaoning/ |archive-date=27 October 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As it was a training ship until 2018, ''Liaoning'' was not assigned to any of China's operational fleets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/chinese-officer-hints-at-countrys-big-aircraft-carrier-plans-385065/|title=Chinese officer hints at country's big aircraft carrier plans |last1=Waldron |first1=Greg |date=24 April 2013|series=Flight International |work=Flightglobal |access-date=24 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225258/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/chinese-officer-hints-at-countrys-big-aircraft-carrier-plans-385065/|archive-date=2 December 2013}}</ref>

According to geopolitical analysts, China could use ''Liaoning'' and its future carriers to intimidate other countries that have [[Territorial disputes in the South China Sea|territorial claims in the South China Sea]], as well as extending air control further south of the disputed region.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Goldstein|first=Lyle|jstor=41446233|title=Chinese Naval Strategy in the South China Sea: An Abundance of Noise and Smoke, but Little Fire|journal=Contemporary Southeast Asia|publisher=[[Institute of Southeast Asian Studies]]|volume=33|issue=3|page=324|date=December 2011|doi=10.1355/cs33-3c}}</ref> In December 2016 the ship exercised in the Western Pacific, including passing through the [[Miyako Strait]] between the Japanese islands of [[Miyako-jima]] and [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/china-defence-carrier-idINKBN14I14T |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=29 December 2016 |title=Come and have a look, China says as carrier skirts Japan |quote=The Soviet-built Liaoning, accompanied by several warships, this week travelled through the passage between the Japanese islands of Miyako and Okinawa and into the Pacific for what China has described as a routine exercise. |first=Ben |last=Blanchard |editor-first=Robert |editor-last=Birsel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229142242/http://in.reuters.com/article/china-defence-carrier-idINKBN14I14T |archive-date=29 December 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-38431999|title=China's first aircraft carrier in Western Pacific drill|date=25 December 2016|work=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=25 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225164618/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-38431999|archive-date=25 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> On 18 April 2018, Liaoning took part in the navy's live-fire exercises in the South China Sea, involving 76 fighter jets and 48 warships and submarines. The drills came after a large military display presided over by Chinese [[paramount leader]] [[Xi Jinping]], and were condemned by Taiwan as "military intimidation".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/21/china-navy-drills-in-pacific-as-tension-with-taiwan-rises.html|title=China navy drills in Pacific as tension with Taiwan rises|last=CNBC|date=21 April 2018|website=cnbc.com|access-date=23 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523173532/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/21/china-navy-drills-in-pacific-as-tension-with-taiwan-rises.html|archive-date=23 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Design==
{{Main|Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier#Design}}
[[File:PLANS Liaoning (CV-16) 20221216 - 1.jpg|thumb|Aerial image from the stern of ''Liaoning'' in 2022]]

The Type 001 is built upon the unfinished hull of ''Kuznetsov''-class aircraft carrier ''Varyag''. Unlike Soviet {{ship|Russian aircraft carrier|Admiral Kuznetsov||2}}, the Chinese Type 001 ships are configured solely as aircraft carriers. The cruise missile launchers were never installed, and the launcher base was removed during the refit to incorporate a larger hangar bay. The air-defense system consists of [[TY-90#FL-3000N|FL-3000N]] surface-to-air-missiles and the [[Type 730 CIWS#Type 1130|Type 1130 CIWS]].<ref name="sinodefence">{{cite web |title=Type 001 aircraft carrier Liaoning |url=https://sinodefence.com/2017/01/14/type-001-aircraft-carrier-liaoning/ |website=SinoDefence |date=14 January 2017 |access-date=24 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224130028/https://sinodefence.com/2017/01/14/type-001-aircraft-carrier-liaoning/ |archive-date=24 February 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Chinese Navy Liaoning Aircraft Carrier's H/PJ-14 (Type 1130) new generation CIWS |url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/year-2013-news/march-2013-navy-world-naval-forces-maritime-industry-technology-news/951-chinese-navy-liaoning-aircraft-carriers-hpj-14-type-1130-new-generation-ciws-.html |website=Navy Recognition |date=21 March 2013 |access-date=24 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214102704/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/year-2013-news/march-2013-navy-world-naval-forces-maritime-industry-technology-news/951-chinese-navy-liaoning-aircraft-carriers-hpj-14-type-1130-new-generation-ciws-.html |archive-date=14 February 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2014, the Chinese-language ''[[Shanghai Morning Post]]'' listed that CNS ''Liaoning'' would carry 36 aircraft: 24 [[Shenyang J-15]] fighters, six [[Changhe Z-18]]F [[anti-submarine warfare]] (ASW) helicopters, four Changhe Z-18J [[airborne early warning]] helicopters and two [[Harbin Z-9]]C rescue helicopters. The Chinese carrier aircraft inventory is similar to a balanced combat and support aircraft approach intended for Soviet aircraft carriers, which supported nuclear submarines, large surface combatants, and land-based strike bombers performing anti-access roles. 

The Soviet lineage has its limitations. The air wing lacks long-range radar and anti-submarine fixed-wing aircraft, needing support from shore-based aircraft such as [[Tupolev Tu-154]] ASW and [[Shaanxi Y-8]] AWACS aircraft. The U.S. Department of Defense noted that J-15s will have below normal range and armament when operating from the carrier, due to limits imposed by the [[Aircraft ski-jump|ski-jump]] takeoff system.<ref name=DOD-2013>{{cite report|url=http://www.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/2013_China_Report_FINAL.pdf|title=Annual Report to Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2013|publisher=Office of the Secretary of Defense|year=2013|access-date=23 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905064016/http://www.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/2013_China_Report_FINAL.pdf|archive-date=5 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The lack of a carrier onboard delivery aircraft like the United States Navy (USN) [[Grumman C-2 Greyhound]] also limits logistics capabilities. ''Liaoning'' would need extensive land-based support to oppose a USN carrier strike group; however, it would be potent against the [[Vietnam People's Navy]] and the [[Philippine Navy]]. Deficiencies will likely be corrected with future aircraft carriers, which are expected to be larger with conventional takeoff decks and catapult launching for heavier fighters, plus fixed-wing radar and anti-submarine patrol aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140907/DEFREG03/309070015/Chinese-Carrier-s-Purported-Air-Wing-Deemed-Plausible-Limited|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140913154745/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140907/DEFREG03/309070015/Chinese-Carrier-s-Purported-Air-Wing-Deemed-Plausible-Limited|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 September 2014|title=Chinese Carrier's Purported Air Wing Deemed Plausible but Limited|work=Defense News |date=7 September 2014|access-date=17 December 2014}}</ref>

==Operational history==
===Home port===

''Liaoning'' is visible on satellite imagery regularly berthed at a large jetty at the [[Yuchi Naval Base]] (near [[Huangdao]]) in China's [[Shandong]] province since 2013; this is reported as its home port.<ref>{{cite web |title=Carrier Liaoning arrives at Qingdao home base |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1160632/carrier-liaoning-arrives-qingdao-home-base |website=South China Morning Post |access-date=28 November 2020 |language=en |date=28 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Jim Sciutto |title=Chuck Hagel becomes first foreigner to visit Chinese aircraft carrier |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/06/world/asia/china-aircraft-carrier-hagel/index.html |website=CNN |date=7 April 2014 |access-date=28 November 2020}}</ref>

===Maintenance===

In August 2018, the ''South China Morning Post'' reported that ''Liaoning'' was berthed at Dalian undergoing its first refit since its commissioning in 2012. The radar above ''Liaoning''{{'}}s bridge and the air traffic control at the rear of the island superstructure were noted to have been removed, and scaffolding was also noted around the command center.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2161582/chinas-liaoning-aircraft-carrier-gets-brand-new-command |title=China's Liaoning aircraft carrier gets brand new command centre |date=28 August 2018 |author=Liu Zhen |website=South China Morning Post |access-date=7 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908054249/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2161582/chinas-liaoning-aircraft-carrier-gets-brand-new-command |archive-date=8 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The refit was completed in January 2019, spending about six months. The ship superstructure was modified with an improved design, and the flight deck was completely stripped and refurbished.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2019/01/liaoning-aircraft-carrier-returns-to-sea-after-refit/ |title= Liaoning Aircraft Carrier Returns To Sea After Refit |website=Naval News |date=24 January 2019 |first= Xavier |last=Vavasseur }}</ref>

===Training and aircraft handling===

[[File:PLANS Liaoning (CV-16) 20180420.jpg|thumb|left|''Liaoning'' at sea (2018)]]

On 4 November 2012, the People's Liberation Army's website ({{zh|s=中国军网}}) reported that Shenyang J-15s had performed carrier touch-and-go training.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chinamil.com.cn/jfjbmap/content/2012-11/04/content_18494.htm|location=Beijing|work={{lang|zh-hans-CN|解放军报}}|title=滑跃14°：中国海军起飞的仰角|date=4 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107010938/http://www.chinamil.com.cn/jfjbmap/content/2012-11/04/content_18494.htm|archive-date=7 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chinanews.com/mil/2012/11-04/4299716_2.shtml|location=Beijing|work={{lang|zh-hans-CN|中国新闻网}}|title=解放军报还原中国航母舰载机触舰复飞瞬间（图）|date=4 November 2012|access-date=24 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123060749/http://www.chinanews.com/mil/2012/11-04/4299716_2.shtml|archive-date=23 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> On 25 November 2012, China announced that J-15s had made five successful [[Arresting gear|arrested landings]] on ''Liaoning''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.sina.com/china/2012/1124/530358.html|agency=Xinhua News Agency|title=J-15 successfully landed on China's carrier ''Liaoning''|date=25 November 2012|access-date=17 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903205919/http://english.sina.com/china/2012/1124/530358.html|archive-date=3 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.qq.com/a/20121125/000007.htm#p=1|location=Beijing|work={{lang|zh-hans-CN|新华网}}|title=More photos of the two J-15s landing and taking off on ''Liaoning''|date=25 November 2012|language=zh-hans-CN|access-date=26 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128231420/http://news.qq.com/a/20121125/000007.htm#p=1|archive-date=28 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2013, a second round of flight tests began on board CNS ''Liaoning'', with personnel from the [[Brazilian Naval Aviation|fleet air arm]] of the [[Brazilian Navy]] providing carrier training support to the People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force who operate the J-15s.<ref>{{cite web|last=LaGrone|first=Sam|title=China Carrier Starts Second Round of Jet Tests|url=http://news.usni.org/2013/06/19/china-carrier-starts-second-round-of-jet-tests|work=USNI News|publisher=United States Naval Institute|date=19 June 2013|access-date=14 December 2014|quote=The Chinese are being trained in carrier aviation—the most complicated military aviation operations—by a cadre of Brazilian carrier pilots.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203041748/http://news.usni.org/2013/06/19/china-carrier-starts-second-round-of-jet-tests|archive-date=3 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Waldron|first=Greg|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/china-certifies-first-aircraft-carrier-pilots-387945/|title=China certifies first aircraft carrier pilots|work=Flightglobal|date=4 July 2013|access-date=26 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013112734/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/china-certifies-first-aircraft-carrier-pilots-387945/|archive-date=13 October 2014}}</ref>

In August 2014, based on an article from Chinese state media, Western news outlets reported that two pilots had been killed testing jets slated to operate from ''Liaoning''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=LaGrone|first=Sam|url=http://news.usni.org/2014/09/05/two-pla-pilots-died-testing-planes-chinese-carrier |title=Two PLA Pilots Have Died Testing Fighters for Chinese Carrier|work=USNI News|publisher=United States Naval Institute|date=8 September 2014|access-date=17 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011103654/http://news.usni.org/2014/09/05/two-pla-pilots-died-testing-planes-chinese-carrier|archive-date=11 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/24916546/china-reveals-two-aircraft-carrier-test-pilots-killed/ |title=China reveals two aircraft carrier test pilots killed - Yahoo!7 |access-date=7 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907052648/https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/24916546/china-reveals-two-aircraft-carrier-test-pilots-killed/ |archive-date=7 September 2014 }}</ref> Chinese military officials stated such reports were misleading, and clarified that deaths were in fact unrelated with tests on the carrier.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/42928/china-denies-reports-of-pilots-killed-in-j-15-tests|title=China denies reports of pilots killed in J-15 tests|access-date=13 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113075021/http://www.janes.com/article/42928/china-denies-reports-of-pilots-killed-in-j-15-tests |archive-date=13 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2014-09-07/1509799571.html|title=军方否认2名殉职飞行员系在航母测试中牺牲|date=7 September 2014|access-date=13 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204203308/http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2014-09-07/1509799571.html|archive-date=4 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The original Chinese article from [[Xinhua]] also did not link the deaths with the J-15 nor mention any loss of such aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/2014-08/27/c_1112254808.htm|title=中央军委主席习近平签署命令 给1个单位、1名个人授予荣誉称号|access-date=13 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928060526/http://news.xinhuanet.com/2014-08/27/c_1112254808.htm|archive-date=28 September 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 5 April 2021, the aircraft carrier ''Liaoning'', [[destroyer]]s {{ship|Chinese destroyer|Chengdu||2}}, {{ship|Chinese destroyer|Taiyuan||2}}, {{ship|Chinese destroyer|Nanchang|101|2}}, [[frigate]] {{ship|Chinese frigate|Huanggang|577|2}} and [[Auxiliary ship|supply ship]] {{ship|Chinese ship|Hulunhu|965|2}} were spotted between [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] and [[Miyako Island]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-06|title=Chinese Type 055 destroyer joins aircraft carrier group for first time|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3128484/chinese-type-055-destroyer-joins-aircraft-carrier-group-first|access-date=2021-04-07|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref>

In December 2021, ''Liaoning'' carrier group was deployed to [[Yellow Sea]], [[East China Sea]], and the [[Western Pacific Ocean|Western Pacific]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://news.usni.org/2021/12/31/chinese-carrier-strike-group-liaoning-returns-from-deployment |title= Chinese Carrier Strike Group Liaoning Returns From Deployment |website=USNI News |date=31 December 2021 |first= Dzirhan |last=Mahadzir }}</ref>

In May 2022, ''Liaoning'' and its carrier strike group conducted drills in the East China Sea and they were sighted near [[Miyako-jima|Miyako Island]] by the [[Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/05/23/chinese-carrier-strike-group-now-operating-in-east-china-sea |title=Chinese Carrier Strike Group Now Operating in the East China Sea |date=23 May 2022 }}</ref> Japanese analysts noted a very high operational tempo from ''Liaoning'', which suggested China's growing confidence and maturity in aircraft carrier operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/China-aircraft-carrier-stages-100-plus-takeoffs-near-Okinawa-islands |title=China aircraft carrier stages 100-plus takeoffs near Okinawa islands |website=Nikkei Asia |first=Ryo |last=Nemoto |date= 11 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/06/china-launches-first-aircraft-carrier-which-rivals-u-s-navys/ |title=China Launches First Aircraft Carrier Which Rivals U.S. Navy's |website=Naval News |date=17 Jun 2022 |first=H I |last=Sutton }}</ref>

On 14 October 2024, Chinese [[Eastern Theater Command]] spokesman Captain Li Xi confirmed that the ''Liaoning'' aircraft carrier group was taking part in the Joint Sword-2024B military exercises around Taiwan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 October 2024|title=China's military encircles Taiwan in 'warning' drills|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241013-china-says-launches-military-drills-around-taiwan|newspaper=[[France 24]]|access-date=14 October 2024 }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|China}}
* [[List of aircraft carriers]]
* [[List of aircraft carriers of Russia and the Soviet Union]]
* {{INS|Vikramaditya}}, a ''Kiev''-class aircraft carrier that was also originally built for the Soviet Navy and later sold to India in 2004
* [[Liu Zhe]], the captain of ''Liaoning''
* {{ship|Chinese aircraft carrier|Fujian}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|PLANS Liaoning (CV-16)}}
* [https://www.VaryagWorld.com/ varyagworld.com]
* [http://www.jeffhead.com/redseadragon/varyagtransform.htm Transformation of the Varyag into a PLAN Aircraft Carrier]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131209053822/http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/surface/varyag.asp "Varyag Aircraft Carrier" article on sinodefence.com]
* [http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=dalian&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=40.103276,81.738281&ie=UTF8&ll=38.940815,121.643956&spn=0.005875,0.009978&t=h&z=17&om=1Actual physical location in the World]
* [https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=38.934961,121.61383&spn=0.002591,0.005681&z=18 Satellite Photo of Varyag in Dalian, China from Google Maps]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9CDW4tlgOU Chinese carrier operations]
* [http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90786/8145427.html "China's aircraft carrier anchors in military port" Slideshow, ''People's Daily'' Xinhua 10:14, 27 February 2013]

{{Admiral Kuznetsov class aircraft carrier}}
{{Ship classes of the Chinese Navy|collapsed}}
{{Aircraft carrier classes in service}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Liaoning}}
[[Category:Admiral Kuznetsov-class aircraft carriers]]
[[Category:Ships built at the Black Sea Shipyard]]
[[Category:1988 ships]]
[[Category:History of Dalian]]
[[Category:History of Macau]]
[[Category:Abandoned military projects of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Aircraft carriers of the People's Liberation Army Navy]]
[[Category:Ships built in the Soviet Union]]