According to foreign‑media reports, the basic structure of the Dalian‑built aircraft carrier draws reference from the Varyag. No major modifications have been made to the hull; only the island superstructure has been downsized, while more deck area has been made available for carrier‑borne aircraft. The basic hull of the Dalian‑built carrier has taken shape, with an overall water‑line length (W/L) of around 267 metres and a maximum beam of 37 metres. By comparison, the Varyag has a length of 270 metres, a flight‑deck length of 305 metres and a beam of 35 metres.

According to Canada‑based Kanwa Asian Defence Review, construction progress of the Dalian‑built aircraft carrier as of November 2015 indicated that the tonnage and dimensions of China’s first domestically‑built aircraft carrier replicate those of the Varyag and cannot be scaled up further. This is most likely constrained by its outdated power‑plant system. The basic hull of the Dalian‑built carrier has taken shape, with an overall water‑line length (W/L) of around 267 metres and a maximum beam of 37 metres. In contrast, the Varyag is 270 metres long, with a 305‑metre‑long flight deck and a beam of 35 metres. It follows that the Dalian‑built carrier’s fundamental structure is modelled on the Varyag without major hull‑form changes. As previously reported by Kanwa, modifications include a smaller island superstructure for weight reduction and enhanced stealth features, alongside increased deck area for carrier‑borne aircraft.

At the current construction pace, hull‑building work may be completed in the second half of the year, followed by installation of superstructures. Nevertheless, judging from ongoing hangar installation work, the Dalian‑built carrier will definitely feature a larger hangar compared with the Varyag. One hangar section measures 30 metres in length, and the total hangar area may exceed that of its Russian counterpart. Not long before, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defence officially confirmed that an aircraft carrier displacing 50 000 tons is under construction in Dalian. It remains unclear whether this figure refers to standard displacement or full‑load displacement. The Kuznetsov‑class carrier has a standard displacement of 43 000 tons, a full‑load displacement of 55 000 tons and a maximum displacement of 61 390 tons, placing the Dalian‑built carrier in the same class as the Varyag.

It is reported that boiler and steam‑turbine technologies for China’s first domestic aircraft carrier originate from Ukraine. Russian‑built aircraft carriers adopt KVG‑4‑type boilers and steam turbines jointly designed by the Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding and the Chernomorets Central Design Bureau. Relevant design documentation has been sold to Harbin Boiler Works. Such equipment dates back 30 years. Many Ukrainian departments responsible for aircraft‑carrier power‑system design and component manufacturing were located in Crimea. Following Crimea’s re‑unification with Russia, questions arise over how those facilities could continue to assist China. Russia has repeatedly stated publicly that it will not sell strategic‑weapon systems to China. Nevertheless, Ukraine had basically transferred aircraft‑carrier steam‑turbine and boiler technologies to China as early as ten years ago.

Suzhou Cosc Marine Machinery Co., Ltd. (abbreviated as COSC) specializes in manufacturing side thrusters (CP and FP), rudder propellers and main‑propulsion controllable‑pitch propellers (CPP). By introducing advanced foreign technologies and production‑management methodologies and establishing a responsive and comprehensive after‑sales‑service system, the company has won high recognition from customers at home and abroad. The company has obtained ISO 9001:2000 quality‑system certification and received approvals from classification societies including China CCS, France BV, United Kingdom LR, Germany GL, United States ABS, Italy RINA, Norway DNV and Japan NK.