PLA Navy Aircraft Carriers Complete Far Seas Combat Training in Western Pacific

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carrier formations recently concluded extensive far seas combat training in the Western Pacific. This training, a key component of the PLA Navy's annual schedule, focused on enhancing the formations' systematic combat capabilities and operational readiness in a complex maritime environment. The exercise involved realistic combat drills, simulating a variety of scenarios including reconnaissance, early warning, defense, counterstrike, maritime assault, and air defense. Carrier-based aircraft conducted cross-day-night tactical flight operations, further testing the capabilities of the crews and equipment.

During the training, the formations adhered to principles of combat readiness, joint operations, and systematic training. They advanced into the Western Pacific, coordinating with relevant military arms and branches to execute the exercises. The training also included the management of close-in reconnaissance attempts by foreign military vessels and aircraft. The Chinese formations maintained a high state of alert, organized multiple combat sorties of shipborne aircraft, and professionally addressed all encountered scenarios.

The PLA Navy emphasized that the training was routine, conducted in accordance with the annual training plan, and aimed at continuously enhancing the vessels' ability to fulfill their missions. The training was designed to test the forces' level in joint operational training and enhance their capability in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The formations maneuvered across the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and the Western Pacific, demonstrating their ability to operate in diverse and challenging environments.

The training provided valuable experience in the application of combat elements and forces, leading to research achievements that significantly enhanced the integrated combat capabilities of the carrier formations. Experts noted that the training allowed the PLA Navy to use aircraft carriers in more sophisticated ways, highlighting the growing proficiency in carrier operations. The command and control procedures for two carrier formations in joint operations in the far seas are more complex, the requirements for reconnaissance and early warning capabilities are higher, and demands for communication are more intensive. The successful completion of this training demonstrates the PLA Navy's growing proficiency in carrier operations.