The ship, launched in December last year, is seen as a key asset for the PLA Navy’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations because of its electromagnetic catapult launch system and is often described as the world’s first drone carrier.

The sea trial will test the reliability and stability of the engine and power system, Xinhua said.

Named after the southwestern Chinese province and bearing the hull number 51, the Sichuan’s launch and naming ceremony was held in December at Shanghai’s Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard.

The trials mark a significant milestone for the People’s Liberation Army’s naval force, which is expected to take delivery of the Sichuan by the end of next year.

This comes shortly after the official commissioning last week of the Fujian, China’s most advanced aircraft carrier and its first to be equipped with electromagnetic catapult technology.