On Monday, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force observed the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's aircraft carrier Shandong, accompanied by a Type 055 guided missile destroyer, a Type 052D guided missile destroyer, and a Type 054A guided missile frigate, navigating the West Pacific waters south of Miyako Island. During this time, the Shandong conducted takeoff and landing operations involving fighter jets and helicopters, according to a press release issued late Monday by Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff.
This marks the Shandong's second far seas exercise beyond the first island chain this year, as noted by observers. The first drill occurred in the same region from July 9 to 18, according to the Japanese Defense Ministry. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force lost track of the Shandong on July 16, but from July 9 to 15 and July 17 to 18, it recorded approximately 420 aircraft sorties launched from the PLA Navy carrier.
Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the Shandong's recent drills demonstrate a notable increase in training intensity, significantly enhancing the carrier's overall combat capabilities. The short interval between these exercises indicates the carrier's ability to execute consecutive missions in quick succession, showcasing a high level of maintenance capability, according to observers.
Analysts emphasized the strategic importance of the West Pacific waters where the Shandong is conducting its drills. The region, located in the Philippine Sea to the east of Taiwan, northeast of the Philippines, south of Japan, and northwest of Guam, is of considerable strategic significance.
During previous large-scale joint drills around Taiwan, experts from the Chinese mainland emphasized that this area could be used to seal off the island while preventing external reinforcements. In the Shandong's recent far seas drills in July, amid tensions between China and the Philippines, foreign analysts speculated that the Chinese carrier's presence was intended to deter the Philippines.
In response to media inquiries regarding the Shandong's July drill near the Philippines, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, stated on July 12 that the carrier's far seas combat drill was an annual routine operation with no specific target in mind. "The PLA Navy will regularly conduct similar drills to continuously enhance the carrier group's systematic combat capabilities," Zhang said.
