Training Liaoning and Shandong carriers against each other offers experience that even US military cannot gain in battle: analyst
Since Monday, state broadcaster CCTV has released several clips of drills focused on reconnaissance and early warning, defensive and counterstrike operations, anti-surface assaults, air defence and day-and-night tactical flights by carrier-based aircraft.
Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong arrives in Hong Kong for 5-day visit
Timothy Heath, a senior international defence researcher at the US-based Rand Corporation, said the key difference was “greater complexity and intensity”.
“By contrast, last year’s exercise was essentially a trial run as it was the first time two carriers operated together. They did not travel as far or for as long a time, and the drills were simpler,” Heath said.
