BEIJING – India’s first domestically made aircraft carrier cannot comparein construction technology and weaponry with China’s first home-madecarrier, Chinese military experts said Monday.

“In terms of technology, India’s home-made aircraft carrier expected to becommissioned by October 2020, cannot compare with China’s as China hastaken a leap in construction technology and other relevant coretechnologies, including construction materials, the deck for fighter jetsto ski jump and the radar system,” Song Zhongping, a TV commentator andmilitary expert told Global Times.

However, India still relies on other countries’ technology in building itsaircraft carrier.

“India’s carrier-based aircraft are mainly Russia’s Mikoyan MiG-29 and theweapons systems are from Russia, Israel and other countries,” Song said.

Li Jie, a Beijing-based naval expert, said “the INS Vikrant is more likelyan assemblage of foreign technologies made by India. The aircraft carrier’sdesign is from France and Italy, its power system from the US and theweapons system is also from overseas.”

The delay by Russia in supplying aviation items has impeded commissioningof the Vikrant.On combat capability, China’s first home-made aircraft carrier carries theShenyang J-15, a large antisubmarine helicopter, which could also be usedfor early warning and search and rescue operations.

And its defense system was also developed domestically, Song said.“China’s second home-made one may adopt an electromagnetic catapult system,and the domestically developed radar system will be more accurate andfar-reaching.

The destroyers and frigate which form the aircraft carrier fleet would alsobe stronger,” Li said.

Li also said it was meaningless to merely compare the aircraft carriers ofChina and India as the competiveness of the navies in the future lies incomprehensive combat capabilities and cooperation of different forces.

China’s first homemade aircraft carrier, which is the second aircraftcarrier after the Liaoning, was put to sea in April 2017.