Just days after completing one of their most notable deployments in the Indo-Pacific region, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aircraft carriers Liaoning (CV-16) and Shandong (CV-17) have drawn attention from the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), which released data highlighting the scale of the operation conducted by the Asian giant in the Western Pacific.
To provide context, a few weeks ago both the Liaoning and Shandong were deployed to waters near Japan and the Philippine Sea as part of training and drill missions aimed at improving crew readiness. What made this deployment particularly striking was not only the simultaneous presence of both carriers and their escorts, but also the unusual navigation patterns adopted—taking the PLAN surface fleet into areas not frequently visited before.
For the first time, the Liaoning (CV-16) and Shandong (CV-17) sailed through various zones, including a confirmed transit through the sensitive area between Okinawa and Miyako Islands. This expansion in operational range by China’s carrier strike groups (CSGs) not only set a new precedent but also triggered close monitoring by the Japan Self-Defense Forces, which maintained a high level of surveillance throughout most of the deployment.
The naval operations included not only navigation but also extensive exercises, such as takeoffs and landings of fighter jets and helicopters belonging to each carrier’s embarked air wing. For example, during the deployment of CV-17 Shandong, approximately 420 air operations were conducted, including both takeoffs and landings of combat aircraft and helicopters, according to figures released by Tokyo.
A newly released report by Japanese authorities now reveals that the two carriers conducted over 1,000 air operations near the Japanese archipelago between late May and the end of their deployment. The report states that between June 17 and 19 alone, 270 fighter jet takeoffs and landings were carried out over the Pacific Ocean. In total, around 1,050 air operations took place in waters close to Japan. Analysts have noted that this figure is striking considering that it involves just two vessels, both smaller than their U.S. Navy counterparts.
In this context, Japanese Defense Minister General Nakatani stated during a press conference: “It is believed that China aims to enhance the capabilities of Liaoning and Shandong while increasing its ability to operate in distant seas and airspaces.” Additional data provided by the Ministry of Defense showed that from June 8 to 16, Shandong conducted an average of 28 sorties per day, while Liaoning recorded 41 takeoffs and landings, including 90 sorties on two separate days. By comparison, a U.S. Nimitz-class carrier is believed to be capable of conducting approximately 120 sorties per day.
Header image used for illustrative purposes only
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