The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's aircraft carrier Shandong recently carried out a series of exercises, achieving new breakthroughs, as reported by Liu Xuanzun in Global Times.
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Chinese Navy's Shandong aircraft carrier with J-15 fighters (Picture source: PLAN)
The PLA Navy conducted combat-oriented training in an undisclosed sea region during mid-summer to thoroughly assess the carrier's comprehensive combat capabilities. Under strict combat-oriented requirements, the Shandong explored its potential and achieved significant progress in terms of aircraft sorties, training difficulty, and mission intensity.
Accompanied by at least six additional warships, including a Type 055 large destroyer, two Type 052D destroyers, two Type 054A frigates, and a Type 901 comprehensive replenishment ship, the Shandong formed a formidable carrier combat group.
Various aircraft were present on the flight deck, such as J-15 fighter jets, Z-8 helicopters, and Z-18 helicopters. During the exercises, three echelons, each consisting of three J-15s, flew over the aircraft carrier. Additionally, the J-15 fighter jets performed nighttime takeoff and landing exercises on board the Shandong.
This recent training comes after the aircraft carrier's first-ever far-sea exercise in the West Pacific in April, during which it participated in combat alert patrols and "Joint Sword" exercises encircling Taiwan. The Shandong's capabilities were evident, as it hosted about 620 aircraft sorties during the 18-day exercise, surpassing the previous record set by the aircraft carrier Liaoning.
With the latest exercises demonstrating new breakthroughs, the Shandong's combat capabilities are expected to continue improving with every subsequent training. As the PLA Navy's second carrier, it may undertake two or more voyages beyond the "first island chain" this year, similar to the pattern observed with China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, according to experts.
