PLA Navy's Aircraft Carrier Strike Group Completes Extended Far-Sea Combat Training Exercise and Returns to Home Base
Summary
The People's Liberation Army Navy's carrier battle group, centered around the aircraft carrier CNS Liaoning, successfully completed a more than 40-day long-range combat training deployment in the South China Sea and western Pacific Ocean before returning to its home port of Qingdao, Shandong province. Throughout the deployment, the strike group conducted extensive combat-oriented drills encompassing air combat, anti-ship strikes, air defense, live-fire exercises, and joint search and rescue operations, while also testing day-and-night carrier flight operations and ship-aircraft integration capabilities. A notable development during the exercise was the repeated close-range surveillance conducted by Japanese naval vessels and aircraft, including the JS Asahi destroyer, which prompted the Liaoning group to scramble J-15 carrier-based fighter jets in response to what China characterized as unsafe behavior by the Japanese side. The carrier battle group also conducted joint exercises with an amphibious assault group led by CNS Anhui, a Type 075 amphibious assault ship, specifically to enhance coordinated far-sea combat operational capabilities between the two formations. Military analysts highlighted that the exercises were essential for developing new tactics and operational synergy as the PLA Navy continues to integrate newly commissioned carrier-based aircraft and warships into its force structure.
Key Takeaways
- 1. **Extended Power Projection Capability:** The 40+ day far-sea deployment demonstrates the PLA Navy's growing ability to sustain prolonged carrier strike group operations across multiple strategic maritime zones, including the South China Sea and western Pacific
- 2. **Heightened Sino-Japanese Naval Tensions:** The repeated close-range surveillance by Japanese military assets and China's deployment of J-15 fighters in response signals escalating naval competition and potential flashpoint risks between the two nations in regional waters
- 3. **Amphibious-Carrier Integration:** The joint exercise between the Liaoning carrier battle group and the Type 075 amphibious assault ship CNS Anhui reflects China's strategic intent to develop combined arms, multi-domain far-sea combat capabilities
- 4. **Comprehensive Combat Readiness Testing:** The wide range of drills conducted — including live-fire exercises, anti-ship strikes, and complex battlefield simulations — indicates the PLA Navy is systematically working to verify and strengthen its real-world warfighting capabilities rather than conducting symbolic exercises
- 5. **Tactical Modernization Underway:** Military experts note that the integration of new carrier-based aircraft and warships necessitates the development and refinement of updated operational tactics, suggesting the PLA Navy is actively evolving its doctrine to match its expanding hardware capabilities