TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The People's Liberation Army Navy conducted dual aircraft carrier exercises for the first time last month.
China's state-run Xinhua News Agency on Thursday (Oct. 31) confirmed the Liaoning and Shandong conducted dual aircraft carrier formation exercises for the first time in the South China Sea. It said this followed patrols carried out by the Liaoning in the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and South China Sea, as it conducted a series of integrated drills.
The PLA Daily on Friday reported that during the dual-carrier exercises, J-15 fighter jets flew to predetermined airspace for combat drills. Footage released by Xinhua showed the Shandong and Liaoning sailing in parallel, with at least 12 J-15 fighters deployed.
The report suggests the exercises lasted from mid-September to mid-October. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, on Sept. 18, the Liaoning group sailed through waters northeast of Taiwan, then continued southeast toward Japan’s Yonaguni Island.
On Oct. 13, the Liaoning strike group was spotted in the waters near the Bashi Channel. The following morning, the PLA announced the start of the "Joint Sword 2024B" exercise around Taiwan. On Oct. 22 and 23, the Liaoning sailed from waters near the Dongsha Islands through the Taiwan Strait heading north.
The Liaoning, China's first commissioned aircraft carrier, embarked on its maiden voyage in 2013 and conducted its first offshore training in the western Pacific in late 2016. The Shandong, its second carrier and the first to be domestically built, entered service in late 2019.
