Chinese Navy Holds Live Ammunition Drill for Aircraft Carrier Formation

The Chinese navy's warships, aircraft carrier Liaoning and dozens of carrier-based aircraft joined a live-ammunition drill recently in the waters of the Bohai Sea.

With several destroyers and frigates, the aircraft carrier Liaoning carried out training in reconnaissance and early warning system, air interception, sea assault, air-defense and anti-missile exercises.

Carrying live ammunition, several batches of J-15 ship-based aircraft performed strike exercises.

"Regarding the effect of actual combat, through ammunition drill, we had good results in the actual use of weapons, familiarity with the use of facilities and the operation of the whole system. With regard to flying, it is an obvious promotion on improving our technology and tactics. Through the live ammunition drill, we have strengthened our confidence in weapons, facilities and the whole system," said Xu Ying, commander of fighter regiment of ship-based naval aviation.

The drill, as part of the aircraft carrier's overall test and trial, examined weaponry functions and training quality.

"The drill is the first comprehensive live ammunition exercise since the establish of aircraft carrier formation. It is a major leap for aircraft carrier formation, which explored the organizational pattern of aircraft carrier formation's drill, tested the training effects of aircraft carrier formation and ship-based fighters, and effectively promoted the generation of aircraft carrier formation's fighting effectiveness," said Chen Yueqi, commander of Chinese navy aircraft carrier formation.