Chinese Aircraft Carrier Shows Off 'Combat Capability' During Military Drill In Pacific Ocean

China has conducted a military drill involving its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, east of Okinawa, in the Pacific Ocean. Analysts said the exercises, which had fighter jets and helicopter operations indicated the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) increased combat capability.

According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, besides the Liaoning, a Type 055 destroyer, a Type 052D destroyer, two Type 054A frigates, and a Type 901 supply ship took part in the drill.

The ships sailed in waters about 300km (186 miles) east of Kitadaitojima in Okinawa Sunday, reported South China Morning Post.

Not just the Liaoning, China's second aircraft carrier Shandong too is conducting a drill in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. Shandong has left its homeport in Sanya for "combat-oriented exercises," according to the Chinese military mouthpiece.

The Liaoning set out for a high seas training exercise on the Pacific Ocean last week. The carrier group was spotted about 350km west of the Danjo islands last Wednesday, then crossed the Miyako Strait to enter the Pacific the following day. On the same day, Japan’s navy spotted the Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Xiamen passing through the Miyako Strait.

The pictures by the Japanese Defense Ministry show J-15 fighter jets and Z-9 and Z-18 helicopters on board the Liaoning. In response, Japan sent its Izumo destroyer and fighter jets to monitor the Chinese fleet.

According to military observers, China is trying to get the two strike groups to work together so as to "improve the Chinese navy’s ability to strike inland targets and would make multi-platform coordinated attacks possible."

Commentator and former Chinese military instructor Song Zhongping told South China Morning Post that the latest drill showed the Liaoning had acquired combat effectiveness with more types of aircraft on board.

“There is also a different range of aircraft, including fighter jets and early-warning aircraft such as the Z-18, which means that a complete formation combat system has been formed,” he said. “It has relatively strong defensive capabilities for autonomous operations in far seas and air," he added.

Collin Koh, a research fellow with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, too think the drill was "setting the foundation for future. "The Liaoning could carry up to 24 J-15 fighter jets and an assortment of helicopters. It’s after all mainly for training and to set the foundation for future designs," he told The South China Morning Post.