Beijing, May 13 (PTI) China's first domestically developed aircraft carrier has left for its sea trials today, the country's official media announced here.

The completely home-grown aircraft carrier has departed for sea trials this morning, state-run China Daily said in a brief report.

China launched the second aircraft carrier in April 2017 after it commissioned the first carrier, the Liaoning, a refitted Soviet Union-made vessel, in 2012.

Though Liaoning has become operational, it is being mostly used for research and improvements for the new carriers China plans to build.

Reports said China is also building its third aircraft carrier in Shanghai. The country reportedly plans to have four aircraft carriers by 2030 to operate from the disputed South China Sea as well as the Indian Ocean.

Some reports said China is also planning to build a nuclear aircraft carrier.

China has developed a new jet fighter called A J-15 fighter to operate from the decks of its carriers.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)