Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning expected to return to service in 2023
BEIJING, Oct 12 (Reuters) - China is refurbishing its oldest aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, with new weapons systems and radar, and the vessel is expected to return to duty this year, according to media reports.
The ex-Soviet vessel, which China bought from Ukraine in 1998, is expected to rotate with China's second aircraft carrier, the Shandong, in exercises and missions, state-backed Global Times reported on Tuesday, citing an expert.
Other maintenance work on the Liaoning includes repainting its flight desk at a Dalian shipyard in China's northeastern Liaoning province, Hong Kong's pro-Beijing Wen Wei Po reported on Tuesday.
China is boosting its military power and building a navy capable of distant operations. It is also expected to launch sea trials for its first domestically built and designed aircraft carrier, Fujian, this year.
Liaoning had this year carried out air defence and anti-submarine training the western Pacific Ocean, Chinese state media reported in April.
It was also sighted in January by Japan during training, which caused Japan to scramble fighter jets and dispatch warships. (Reporting by Albee Zhang and Ryan Woo. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
