China’s first aircraft carrier battle group has carried out its maiden live-fire exercises on a massive scale.
In a show of strength, following rising tensions with the US, the exercises were carried out over the South China Sea and Taiwan.
Aircraft carrier Liaoning conducted the drills with live ammunition in the Bohai sea involving dozens of ships and aircrafts as well as air-to-air, ship-to-air and air-to-ship missiles according to the People’s Liberation Army Navy.
Exercise was aimed at testing combinations of numerous types and numbers of ships to optimise the carrier’s combat ability according to the Chinese Navy.
The carriers, destroyers and frigates carried out exercises covering air interception, sea based attacks and air defence along with reconnaissance, early warning and anti-missile systems.
Carrier’s original design allows it to carry a 30 fixed wing aircraft. Time and location of the exercises were not disclosed.
This marks the first time a weapon used on a carrier was displayed in public since it entered services in 2012.
Videos of the J-15 live fire exercises were publicly broadcasted for the first time, on the China Central Television.
The exercises were carried out as China stuck a more aggressive posture over the disputed South China Sea and braced to have a showdown with US President elect Donald Trump over the One China policy.
China has become more assertive over the SCS islands after an international tribunal struck down its claim over all most all of the area.
Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have counter claims over the disputed SCS.
China has also confirmed that it is building military facilities in the reclaimed islands.
Know More About Liaoning- Liaoning is the first aircraft commissioned into the PLA Navy Surface Force.
- She is a training ship.
- She carries out carrier usage.
- Construction started: December 6, 1985
- Launched: December 4, 1988
- Length: 304 metres
- Draft: 10 m
- Beam: 38 m
