Since reports suggested that the
liaoning the PLA navy's first aircraft
carrier is also currently undertaking
drills in the pacific ocean, observers
are looking forward to seeing the Liaoning and the Shandong form a dual
carrier group for the first time in the
not-too-distant future. The Shandong embarked on a Voyage to an
undisclosed area in the south china sea
in early winter for realistic
combat-oriented exercises including the
arrested landing of fighter jets, damage
control and maritime search and rescue, the people's daily reported on sunday.
Wade Dongsu a beijing-based military
expert told the Global Times on sunday
that the domestically built aircraft
carrier is constantly enhancing its
combat capabilities with the naval
warfare of the 21st century in mind. This is not the first time the shandong
has held drills this year. In early may the PLA navy organized the Shandong aircraft carrier battle group
for exercises in waters in the south
china sea, senior captain Gao Shuchun a
spokesperson from the PLA navy said at
the time.
Having just celebrated the second
anniversary of its commissioning on
friday the Shandong has a high level of
combat preparedness thanks to the
training and drills, analyst said.
The people's daily report comes shortly
after japan's ministry of defense joint
staff claimed on friday that the japan
maritime self-defense force spotted the
liaoning aircraft carrier battle group
sailing through the Miyako strait and
entering the pacific ocean on thursday.
According to japanese press releases, the Liaoning was escorted by a type 055
large destroyer, a type 054A Frigate, a
type 901 comprehensive supply ship and
potentially a type 052D destroyer. Wei said that the liaoning carrier
group is likely undertaking a far-sea
exercise to train its capabilities to
seize air superiority and control of the
sea.
Since both of the PLA navy's aircraft
carriers are reportedly sailing in the
ocean, military enthusiasts are looking
forward to seeing them forming a dual
carrier group for the first time. As the combat capabilities of both
vessels increase it is only a matter of
time before they form such a powerful
group that can cover an even wider range
of sea and air regions. Wei predicted
i believe we don't need to wait for long.
It is also intriguing to see where the
carriers are going next as powerful
typhoon rai is ravaging the south china
sea, observer said.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army navy recently sent an aircraft carrier
battle group through the Miyako strait
into the pacific ocean with analysts
saying on saturday that the voyage is
likely a routine exercise that could
feature drills near the island of taiwan
and in the south china sea.
The japan maritime self-defense force on
wednesday spotted a PLA Navy Flotilla
consisting of four warships, namely the Aircraft Carrier Liaoning, the type-055 Large Destroyer Nanchang, the type 054A Frigate Rejao and the type 901
comprehensive supply Ship Hulenhu which
then passed through waters between Okinawa Island and Miyako island and
sailed south toward the pacific ocean on
thursday, japan's ministry of defense
joint staff said in a press release on
late friday.
In the process the PLA Carrier Battle Group conducted vessel-based helicopter
takeoff and landing exercises in the
east china sea and the pacific ocean and
held vessel-based fighter jet takeoff
and landing exercises in the pacific
ocean, according to the press release.
Japanese warships and warplanes
including the izumo helicopter destroyer
which wrapped up modifications and
became a de facto aircraft carrier this
year, attempted to monitor the movement
of the chinese vessels, the press release
said.
On tuesday the type 052D Destroyer Shaman also took a similar route and
entered the pacific ocean, a separate
press release by japan's ministry of
defense joint staff said on thursday. This vessel is likely also a part of the
liaoning carrier battle group, Observer
said.
The reported Liaoning Carrier Battle Group's Voyage is likely a routine
exercise, a beijing-based military expert
who requested anonymity told the global
times on saturday. This is not the first time the Liaoning
has transited the Miyako strait this year
as it had taken this route twice in a
round-trip in april.
At the time senior captain Gao Shuchong
a PLA Navy Spokesperson announced that
the Liaoning carrier group conducted
exercises near the island of taiwan as
part of an annually scheduled regular
training with the target being examining
the result of exercises and enhancing
its capability to safeguard national
sovereignty, safety and development
interests. Similar exercises will be conducted on a
regular basis in the future, Gao said.
Previous records indicate that the
liaoning could also train in the south
china sea. For example the Liaoning conducted a
cross-regional maneuver crossing the
miyako strait and the bashi channel into
the south china sea for exercises in
april 2020. Gao said at the time that the pla navy
would continue to regularly organize
similar training and exercises.
Friday was the second anniversary of the
commissioning of china's second aircraft
carrier, the south china sea-based
shandong. Military enthusiasts are looking forward
to seeing the liaoning and the shandong
form a dual carrier group for the first
time. Even if they don't this time the day
will eventually come, the anonymous
expert said.
The expert also pointed out that the
non-chang the pla navy's first type 055
large destroyer and a powerful escort of
the aircraft carrier has participated in
many key missions this year, indicating
that the vessel is now reliable and
combat ready.
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