China displays strength with two aircraft carriers deployed in the South Sea; video

Historic exercise! China carries out maneuver with two aircraft carriers in the South Sea and displays unprecedented naval power and military innovation

For the first time, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy conducted a training exercise with two aircraft carriers, Liaoning e Shandongin the South China Sea. This operation marks a significant advance for Chinese naval forces, demonstrating the combat capability of a double aircraft carrier group, which goes beyond the simple sum of two ships. Experts highlight that, when operating together, these aircraft carriers carry out more varied and complex missions, elevating China’s military strategy to a new level.

The exercise is part of the aircraft carrier formation’s regular combat training Liaoning on the high seas, which included maneuvers in the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea, in scenarios simulating real combat conditions. Held during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, the exercise symbolized the constant readiness of Chinese naval forces.

Photos released by the PLA Navy reveal the scale of the exercise, with at least 11 escort vessels – including destroyers, frigates and replenishment ships – accompanying aircraft carriers.

In addition, several J-15 fighters embarked on the aircraft carriers took off and performed overflights of the formation, exemplifying the robustness of the fleet’s air power.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, commented to Global Times that the combat capability of a dual carrier group like China’s is not merely the sum of the capabilities of both carriers.

Liaoning e Shandong they have distinct characteristics, with unique capabilities in air defense, anti-submarine warfare and anti-ship operations, thanks to their different escort vessels and the number of aircraft transported.

Wang Ya’nan, editor-in-chief of the magazine Aerospace Knowledgehighlighted the possibility of tactical specialization of aircraft carriers. According to him, this configuration allows one aircraft carrier to focus on surface attacks while the other assumes air defense and airspace superiority.

This type of operational coordination, he states, is a differentiator that positions the PLA Navy among the most advanced in the world and demands a high technical standard.

Wang believes this is just the beginning and predicts that dual carrier exercises will become increasingly common.

He suggests that, in the future, large warships, such as amphibious assault vessels, will also join the group, further expanding the Chinese navy’s response capacity in complex combat situations.

This dual aircraft carrier capability strengthens China’s maritime defense as well as protecting its sovereignty, security and development interests in the region.

Currently, the PLA Navy operates aircraft carriers Liaoning e Shandongbut the Chinese naval arsenal is about to expand even further.

The third aircraft carrier, Fujianlaunched on June 17, 2022, began sea trials on May 1, 2024 and represents a new era in Chinese naval capability, being the first equipped with electromagnetic catapults.

With this operation and the continued development of its aircraft carrier fleet, China demonstrates a strategic vision of military growth and strengthening on the global stage, reiterating its commitment to a strong and technologically advanced navy.

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With information from Global Times*