A week after returning to port, it was reported from an official source in China that the aircraft carriers Liaoning (CV-16) and Shandong (CV-17) of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) carried out joint maneuvers that included simulations of mutual confrontation. The two capital ships of the Asian Giant recently concluded a deployment that was marked by a series of unprecedented movements in the Western Pacific, both in terms of the areas navigated and the scope of the operations conducted.
From late May to mid-June, both Chinese Navy aircraft carriers took part in a new deployment as part of routine sailings aimed at training and improving the operational readiness of their crews. In this context, Liaoning’s route drew particular attention, as it passed through waters near the Japanese archipelagos, including the strait between Okinawa and Miyako. Meanwhile, Shandong was observed operating in the Philippine Sea before sailing into the South China Sea. According to recent disclosures, the carriers’ joint activities included exercises in the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and, for the first time, in the Western Pacific.
During the deployment, the PLAN Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) carried out multiple drills focused on combat readiness, systematic training, and launch and recovery operations involving fighters and helicopters from their embarked air wings. For example, a recent report released by Tokyo revealed that the carriers conducted over 1,000 air operations near the island of Taiwan from late May until the end of their deployment. The report stated that between June 17 and 19 alone, 270 fighter jet takeoffs and landings were carried out in the Pacific Ocean.
Notably, according to the most recent information published by the Xinhua News Agency, this was only the second time both of the PLA Navy’s carrier groups had participated in a joint operation. The first occurred in October 2024 during a joint combat exercise in the South China Sea. It was also the first occasion on which the Liaoning and Shandong worked together with other branches of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in realistic combat maneuvers, acting both as opposing forces and support units.
The exercises included reconnaissance and early warning missions, defense and counterattack drills, maritime assault operations, and air defense scenarios—designed to simulate a joint conflict situation. “Acting as opposing forces and support units means our two carrier formations possibly engaged each other as red and blue forces. Coordination with other services and branches demonstrated the characteristics of joint operations,” said Chinese military expert Zhang Junshe on Monday in an interview with the Global Times.
The operations also involved participation from fighter aircraft of the PLA Air Force (PLAAF), which coordinated with the embarked air wings to conduct strikes against maritime and aerial targets, as well as air superiority and interception missions. Published videos and images showed J-15 fighter jets taking off and landing, the Type 055 destroyer Yan’an operating in open seas, and the Type 901 comprehensive supply ship Chaganhu refueling the Shandong at sea.
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