These images show an aircraft carrier that's very close to being launched. Yup, they're of the Chinese carrier Shi Lang (ex Soviet Varyag) and they clearly show what appear to be Active Phased array radars similar to those found on Aegis ships, rolling airframe missile defensive systems and other signs (including freshly painted Chinese lettering on the island (that's just a watermark, doh!), hot exhaust coming from the funnel and considerably less scaffolding than just a few months ago) of a ship that's almost ready for sea trials. Also remember that China is about to field its own carrier-borne fighters.
Images via China Defense Blog.
