China’s Liaoning Carrier Conducts Attack Drills with J-15 Jets as Japan Fighter Jets Monitor

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By Kris Osborn – President & Editor-In-Chief, Warrior Maven

In a move which clearly seemed to demonstrate a “show of power” and potentially intimidate Japan, the People’s Liberation Army – Navy sailed its first aircraft carrier through the Miyako Strait just south of Okinawa.

Liaoning Attack Drills

China’s first carrier, the Liaoning, conducted attack drills with J-15 jets in a narrow, yet strategic waterway area in between Okinawa South of Japan and Taiwan, according to a Chinese-government backed Global Times newspaper.

Along with fighter jets, the Chinese exercise also included air attack operations with Z–9 and Z-18 helicopters and large-scale surface support from a new Type 055 stealthy destroyers, two Frigates and a supply ship.

Japan claimed it dispatched the Izumo, its de facto aircraft carrier, and fighter jets to monitor the Chinese naval activities, according to the paper.

Clearly the area near Taiwan and Japan is a position from which the Chinese carrier could easily project power and conduct air attacks against either country. Surrounded by destroyers and frigates, the Chinese operation appeared to be an effort to replicate a U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group in which heavily armed destroyers and frigates help protect carriers to launch attacks.