Two Chinese aircraft carriers were spotted conducting simultaneous operations in the Pacific for the first time, in a move that Japan’s defence minister said signified Beijing’s intention to further widen its capabilities beyond its borders.
The operations were a “routine training” exercise that did not target specific countries or regions, Wang Xuemeng, a spokesperson for the Chinese Navy, said in a statement, however.
Since May, China has been flexing its muscles by sending an unusually large number of naval and coast guard vessels through a swathe of East Asian waters, according to security documents and officials, in moves that have unnerved regional capitals.
Japan sights *the only two carriers China owns, traveling together.
Sure Liaoning (a refitted soviet design) and Shandong (a newer cv based on the soviet design plan) together is a sight to see and power projection, but even more so it means they’re not elsewhere. Moving both to the same place near Japan means India and Taiwan aren’t within quick response range. I understand its just a display but this is what a party waiting to strike watches for. Not setting them in the same fleet ALSO prevents you from getting pearl-harbor’d and losing both your CVs in a single strike, should that happen.
US Forces are already in the area and just left for patrol
Additionally, the George Washington (an aging Nimitz) just left Japan to begin patrols (every summer for 6 months has been the tradition for the fleet). The 7th Fleet website says the Strike Group is comprised of the 1 CV, 2 cruisers (ticonderoga class) and 9 destroyers (arleigh-burke class) totalling 12 ships. A different article cites the Liaoning traveling with 3 ships, and Shandong with 5, totalling 10. Shandong travels with 1 cruiser and I can’t find what Liaoning’s complement is. I’d assume the rest are destroyers or auxiliary barracks/fuel ships. It should be noted this isnt the first time these carriers have done this, they were in the Phillipines doing drills last year together in November, which caused concern for a Taiwan invasion.
If these 2 are going to drill together it means China may be almost ready to launch Fujian (a flat top supercarrier of China’s own design) to power project in 2 places again, and let the 2 older model designs travel together to cover any weaknesses they may have.
Not really worried about any Tumu carriers.
