Navy's carrier battle group back after drill

Song Zhongping, a retired PLA Rocket Force officer and military affairs commentator, said in light of the PLA Navy having commissioned new carrier-based aircraft and warships, it was necessary to explore and optimize new tactics.

"The carrier group needs to build operational synergy with new types of warships, such as amphibious assault ships, through joint training. A combined strike group made up of aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships can carry out a range of complex missions. Carriers are responsible for securing air and maritime superiority, while amphibious assault ships take charge of landing, occupying and defending islands," he said.

Commenting on the Japanese side's close-range activities, Song said, "No matter whether the actions came from Japanese or United States vessels and aircraft, they effectively served as a simulated adversary. Such forces have, in effect, acted as 'Blue Force' elements and de facto training partners, helping improve the quality of combat-oriented training. We take these activities as a realistic operational backdrop, making the training more authentic and challenging. This is, in fact, a positive outcome."

The Liaoning was commissioned into the PLA Navy in September 2012, becoming China's first aircraft carrier and, at the time, the largest warship in the fleet. To date, the Liaoning has participated in more than 10 long-range training and exercise deployments, mostly in the western Pacific Ocean.

zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn