Through a brief statement published on social media, the Chinese Navy announced that the ships belonging to Task Group 83 have returned to their home port after completing a 45-day deployment, which served as an opportunity to train cadets and crews, as well as to demonstrate their ability to operate as an integrated force. According to the information released, the operation stood out for allowing the Navy’s new sailors to rotate through up to 15 onboard positions to increase their level of preparedness, while also enabling the Chinese vessels to visit a significant number of locations.
Expanding on some details, the institution indicated that the deployment began on September 26, covering a journey of more than 8,000 nautical miles. Among the areas traversed by Task Group 83 were the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and the Gulf of Thailand, among others. It was also noted that while on operations, the ships participated in open-day events in Hong Kong, in addition to a wide range of port visits in Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore.
In summary, it was reported that during their days at sea, the new Chinese Navy cadets were able to complete a refueling maneuver for the first time. Specifically, the event involved the training ship Qi Jiguang (hull number 83) and the amphibious landing ship Yimengshan (hull number 988), which were used to instruct cadets on the distances each vessel must maintain, their alignment, and other technical details of the maneuver. Their training was also complemented with instruction in navigation in rough seas, communications, cartography, and hydrogeological studies.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the ships’ return voyage concluded with their arrival in Dalian, a city located in the northeast of the country, whose shipyards are believed to be building the Chinese Navy’s future fourth aircraft carrier. As reported on November 10, various images leaked through open-source intelligence (OSINT) appear to support this claim, especially considering the accelerated pace of construction activity already observed at the shipyard.
*Image credits: Chinese Navy
You may also like: The Chinese Navy is moving forward with the commissioning of the Type 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan, which now features new markings on its flight deck
