PLA milestones: How China has built its military might

After the 18th Communist Party of China National Congress in late 2012, far-reaching reforms have been carried out to make the People's Liberation Army leaner, stronger and more efficient. Here we take a look at how the PLA has become a lethal force.

China's second aircraft carrier is transferred from dry dock into the water at a launch ceremony in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, April 26, 2017.[Photo/Xinhua]

First domestically developed aircraft carrier

The nation officially launched its second -- and the first domestically developed -- aircraft carrier in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, on April 26.

The ship is the largest and most sophisticated surface vessel the country has ever built.

It will have a displacement of about 50,000 metric tons and a conventional propulsion system. It will carry domestically developed J-15 fighter jets and other ship-borne aircraft. The ship will also use ski jump-style takeoffs for fixed-wing aircraft, the same as the Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier.

A launch ceremony for China's new-generation guided-missile destroyer is held in Shanghai on June 28, 2017. [Photo by PU HAIYANG/FOR CHINA DAILY]

World's mightiest destroyer

China launched a new domestically developed destroyer in Shanghai on June 28, marking a milestone in building a strong and modern naval force, according to the PLA.

The ship is the first of the country's new-generation guided-missile destroyer class, with a full displacement of around 10,000 metric tons. It will be equipped with new types of air defense, missile defense, and anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons.

Though the Navy has yet to reveal which class the new destroyer belongs to, observers said it is the Type 055 class and called it one of the largest and mightiest of its kind in the world.

The latest J-20 stealth fighter jet during a demonstration flight at Air Show China in Zhuhai city, South China's Guangdong province, on Nov 1, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

World's third stealth fighter jet

On Nov 1, 2016, two J-20 twin-engine stealth fighter jets performed aerobatic maneuvers above thousands of onlookers at Zhuhai Air Show - the first time the previously classified warplane had appeared in front of the public.

The J-20 is believed to be the third stealth fighter jet in the world to enter service following the United States' F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.

This fifth-generation combat plane will soon be powered by domestically developed engine, according to Chen Xiangbao, vice-president of the AECC Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials.

Homegrown large transport aircraft, Y-20, takes off on June 2016. Two Y-20 planes officially joined the Air Force on July 6, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Largest homegrown transport aircraft

Y-20, China's largest homegrown transport aircraft, made its maiden flight on Jan 2013, marking a step in the country's goal of building a strategic air power. In July 2016, two Y-20 planes officially joined the Air Force. Designed and manufactured by State-owned aviation giant the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the Y-20 boasts a maximum takeoff weight of around 200 tons.

It is ideal for transporting cargo and people over long distances in diverse weather conditions.

According to a report in March, China will develop a new generation of rockets that will be launched from aircraft to put satellites into space and the Y-20 strategic transport plane will be the carrier of these rockets.

A CH-5 combat drone is on display at the Zhuhai Air Show in Zhuhai city, South China's Guangdong province, on Oct 31, 2016. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/China Daily]

Powerful unmanned combat aircraft

China's unmanned aerial vehicle CH-5, or "Caihong (Rainbow) 5", completed its trial flight in North China's Hebei province on July 14.

Meanwhile, the country is ready to mass-produce the drone for the international military drone market.

It was introduced at an international air show in the southern city of Zhuhai last year.

Twice as big as its predecessors, it can stay in the air for 60 hours and go up to 10 km high.

CH-5 can conduct reconnaissance, surveillance, patrol, target positioning and strike missions, according to its developer. It's believed to be one of the most powerful unmanned combat aircraft in the world.

Military vehicles carry DF-31A long-range missiles past the Tian'anmen Square during a parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing, September 3, 2015. [Photo/IC]

Intercontinental ballistic missile

The PLA's Rocket Force has become more versatile as its missiles have become "smaller, more powerful and more accurate", the force said in June.

In the past, missile launches were carried out by top soldiers handpicked from a whole brigade, but now any launch team randomly drawn can carry out a mission.

According to PLA Daily, the Rocket Force has at least nine types of missiles in active service, including the DF-31A intercontinental ballistic missile, the DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile and the CJ-10A ground-launched cruise missile.

DF-26 missiles are displayed during the military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing, Sept 3, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

Missiles capable of sinking aircraft carriers

Among the military hardware on display during a grand military parade in 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, the DF-26 and DF-21D were the stars of the parade, senior colonel Shao Yongling, a military strategy professor at the PLA Second Artillery Corps Command College, told China Daily in an interview.

"The DF-26 can be used to destroy ground targets and mobile seaborne targets. The missile has closed the gap in the PLA Second Artillery Corps' strike range, as we previously lacked intermediate-range projection platforms because the DF-21 is for medium-range tasks while the DF-31 is for intercontinental projection," she said.

The DF-21D and DF-26 are likely to be the only two ballistic missiles in the world that are capable of sinking aircraft carriers, Shao added.

A VT-5 tank is on display at the Zhuhai Air Show in Guangdong province, Oct 31, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

Battle tank for export

In 2016, China displayed a new light-duty main battle tank at Zhuhai Air Show amid a muscle-flexing disclosure of ground weapons, in a bid to attract buyers who wish to quickly outfit their armies.

Among the weapons was VT-5 light-duty tank. It is believed to be the most advanced of its kind available in the international market, with its firepower and mobility matching that of Western models.

For buyers seeking mightier tanks, the country's biggest developer of land armaments Norinco (short for North Industries Group Corp), offers the 52-ton VT-4, a high-end main battle tank with a 125-mm smoothbore.

PLA milestones: How China has built its military might VT-4 main battle tank is on display at Zhuhai Air Show, Guangdong province, Nov 3, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

Officers and soldiers wave goodbye to Russian fleet during a joint China-Russia naval drill off South China's Guangdong province, Sept 19, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Self-building through military drills

In recent years, the military has become more open and active in international affairs, such as peacekeeping and escort operations, as well as humanitarian aid.

China is participating in 10 United Nations-led peacekeeping missions, deploying more than 2,500 personnel, more than the other four permanent members on the Security Council combined, according to UN statistics.

An Air Force pilot trains over high seas, Nov 11, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

The PLA has carried out various drills to build up its capacity of national defense and peacekeeping missions.

Chinese and Russian navies have conducted a variety of joint exercises. This year's "Joint Sea 2017" just kicked off on Saturday in the Baltic Sea, aiming to carry out joint rescue missions and ensure maritime economic activities.

The PLA's Rocket Force carries out live-fire exercises in Gobi Desert. [File photo/Xinhua]

Within the country, the PLA recently carried out a live-fire assault exercise on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, intending to improve its troops' combat capability on such terrain, according to the military.