It is to be named ‘Shandong’, and is out on its third sea trial.Recent images indicate that CV-16 is now out of dry dock, after completion of changes. Please subscribehere.The accommodation ships generally support sea trials China has two of these Daguan vessels, produced by Guangzhou Shipbuilding International  at Guangzhou and Longxue.It is expected that some tyre marks will be observable when the CV-17 returns to dock.Surprisingly, the ‘Liaoning’ now has its pennant number on its island, similar to US Navy aircraft carriers. Recent images dated 29 October and 31 October 2018 indicate that CV-16 is now out of dry dock, after completion of changes. The CV-17 is almost 10 metres shorter.It will be very interesting to watch the CV-16 join the CV-17 during trials. This is visible on satellite imagery too.

Two wingman ships — XuxiaKe 88 and TBN 89 — have been observed at Dalian since the CV-17 trials began.These ships generally support sea trials, and also possibly provide for an additional set of crew to be rotated during trials for training purposes.Also read: China is racing to complete 2 nuclear plants to ease Karachi’s power shortageThe CV-17 ‘Shandong’China’s second aircraft carrier, and the first to be indigenously built, is known as Type 002 CV-17.The new aircraft carrier, the indigenously-built Type 002 CV-17 ‘Shandong’, is currently undergoing its third sea trial at Dalian shipyard.

The fitting-out work for the CV-17 had taken barely a year, and hence, Western naval experts expected it would take longer during the sea trials.The ‘Chinese Dream’ expounded by President Xi Jinping needs a strong navy with power projection capabilities, and the backbone of any country’s ability to display strength beyond its borders is a CVBG.Recent images also show a mock J-15 aircraft and  helicopter on deck, indicating the carrier vessel’s readiness to accept take-offs and landings. However, the PLAN has managed to keep up with the schedule for the , especially in the sea trials phase.ThePrint takes a close look at the progress of the vessels at Dalian through satellite imagery.The most visible and major difference between the  and the Flexible Duct Material Manufacturers previous Type  ‘Liaoning’ aircraft carrier (of Soviet origin) is the former’s island length.Accommodation shipOn this current sea trial too, the  Shandong has left behind its consort.

 the Daguan class barracks ship pennant number 89 — at the Dalian shipyard.ThePrint’s YouTube channel is now active and buzzing. Both are expected to be replenished by a single Type 901 general supply vessel, especially constructed for the support of the Chinese CVBG.The most visible difference between the  and the previous Type 001  ‘Liaoning’ aircraft carrier is the former’s island length.32Shares.The CV-17 has got arrestor cables this time, although the arrestor gear system was in place since last October.New Delhi: China is likely to get its second aircraft carrier sooner than the world expects, as the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s homegrown carrier vessel battle group (CVBG) is well on its way to being seaworthy.The CV-16 has got a new coat for its deck, some changes to the bridge and the aviation control room.Also read: China has quietly altered its boundary with Bhutan after Doklam stand-off with IndiaThe ‘accommodation’ or ‘barracks’ ship moves as a consort to the aircraft carrier.Satellite images of CV-16 and CV-17The CV-16 ‘Liaoning’The CV-16 has been dry-docked for almost four months, since the beginning of July . However, the bow has been provided with an additional white coat, possibly anti-skid.Satellite images indicate that the deck of the CV-17 has not yet been given an anti-skid coating.