China set to build two aircraft carriers: Taiwanese official
Central News Agency
2012/05/21 15:57:32
Taipei, May 21 (CNA) China has plans to build two aircraft carriers in the coming years, with an estimated completion period of seven years, a Taiwanese security official said Monday.
China is set to begin manufacturing a medium-sized aircraft carrier in 2013, with another scheduled for construction in 2015, National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai De-sheng said at the Legislature's Foreign and National Defense Committee meeting.
At the meeting, Tsai also fielded questions by ruling Kuomintang Legislator Lin Yu-fang on the mission of China's first aircraft carrier, which begun sea trials last August.
The latest U.S. report on China's military power said the aircraft carrier would likely serve initially as a training and evaluation platform, Lin pointed out.
Noting that the vessel has completed six sea trials to date, Tsai said "we believe it will be commissioned at the end of this year."
In the early stage of its commission, the vessel -- a refitted former Soviet craft -- will be used for the purpose of training, Tsai added.
But he did not rule out the possibility of the aircraft carrier being used as a warship if necessary.
(By Elaine Hou)
ENDITEM/npw
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