Carrier exercises bolster fleet response capabilities

The formation of CNS Fujian, China's first aircraft carrier equipped with an electromagne-tic catapult system, which entered service earlier this month, recently completed its first live-force training mission at sea, the People's Liberation Army Navy said on Tuesday.

The formation led by the carrier, and comprising guided-missile destroyer CNS Yan'an and frigate CNS Tongliao, conducted multiple exercises, including formation sailing and ship-aircraft joint search and rescue, during the mission, the PLA Navy said in a news release.

In the joint search and rescue drill, following orders from the formation command center to handle a simulated emergency, the warships and aircraft coordinated rapidly to complete the rescue task. The training helped refine procedures for handling emergencies associated with carrier-borne aircraft and optimized the deployment of rescue forces, thereby strengthening the fleet's emergency response capabilities, the release stated.

During the mission, a variety of carrier-based aircraft, including the J-35 stealth fighter jet, the J-15T and J-15DT fighters, and the KJ-600 fixed-wing early warning and control plane, conducted multiple electromagnetic catapult takeoffs and arrested landings. The drills "effectively tested" the Fujian's electromagnetic launch and recovery systems and flight deck operation capabilities, further verifying the technical adaptability between the vessel and its aircraft, the release noted.

The Fujian was commissioned on Nov 5.

The carrier formation returned to a naval port in Sanya, Hainan province, after wrapping up the maritime exercises, a report by China Media Group said on Tuesday.

Bao Yu, a sailor serving on the Fujian, was quoted by the report as saying that through continuous training with real equipment, the crew gained a more precise grasp of the performance parameters of the electromagne-tic catapult and arresting systems. The sailor noted that the exercises allowed the crew to become more proficient in operating various types of equipment and enhanced the tacit coordination between different battle stations and the pilots. This laid a solid foundation for the safe and efficient launching and recovery of aircraft, Bao added.

The maritime training was a normal procedure based on a work plan, which was aimed at testing the training effectiveness of the troops and improve their capability to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, according to the report.

jiangchenglong@chinadaily.com.cn