Recently there is a photo appeared on the Internet: carrier-based version of the F -15 fighter and straight-8AEW helicopter full-size model are on board in China's first aircraft carrier "Varyag".  

China's has long held the desire to become a "blue water" navy to be able to project its power and protect its interests around the globe, particularly off Africa and in the Middle East.

Having a substantial fleet is key to that aspiration and for the last two decades they have been playing the long game in building a carrier strike force.

While operating carriers is highly complex Beijing has gone to great lengths to train its pilots from scratch including construction of a concrete carrier far in land.

Most analysts expect it will take at least six years before they can start any form of operations after training both pilots and deck crew as well as installing the arrestor wires.

There are also reports that the displacement has increased by 8,000 tonnes to 67,000 tonnes suggesting extra internal mechanisms have been installed.

This has given rise to speculation that the arrestor system might have been installed but the wires have not yet been strung across the flight deck.

"They cannot do anything with the carrier until they have arrestor wires on it," said Richard Scott, Jane's naval expert. "But this is not a show stopper. They will either acquire it or develop it themselves."