From Training Ship to Combat Ship to Core of Aircraft Carrier Formation! Liaoning Ship Completes "Three Steps" in Ten Years

Recently, the People's Liberation Army Navy of China organized the Liaoning aircraft carrier group to conduct training in relevant waters of the Western Pacific. This is the second time this year that the Liaoning has conducted offshore training in the Western Pacific, and this year marks the 10th anniversary since the Liaoning's first offshore training in the Western Pacific after its commissioning in 2016. What specific capability levels correspond to the three terms: training ship, combat ship, and core of the aircraft carrier group?

From "Joint Exercises" to "Real Combat Confrontation"

Guo Xinyu: In October 2024, our Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carriers conducted their first dual-carrier group exercises in the South China Sea, which were characterized as "joint exercises." By June 2025, the description had changed to "real combat confrontation." Do you think this change in terminology also represents an enhancement of our capabilities?

Military Commentator Du Wenlong: Previously, "joint training" meant "hand in hand" and "shoulder to shoulder," requiring coordinated combat. Now it is called "confrontation training," which aims to identify the opponent's weaknesses and launch attacks. In the absence of a supporting plan, commanders and all combat personnel must leverage their capabilities to determine strike plans. In future naval battles, no one will tell you what they will do next. You can only rely on your initiative to discover and attack to gain the upper hand in future naval warfare.

Guo Xinyu: The Liaoning carrier group’s deployment to the Western Pacific is mostly organized as routine training according to our annual plan, and it is not aimed at specific countries or targets. Japanese media often interpret our normal training as confrontational. How do you view this interpretation by Japanese media?

Military Commentator Du Wenlong: Our training complies with international law and is a normal training arrangement. Without training, we cannot improve our level or maintain our readiness. However, Japan currently observes any normal training by China through tinted glasses, which also indicates that Japan is amplifying the "China threat" and discrediting China's normal maritime and aerial training. The goal is clear: to create conditions for its so-called "remilitarization," weapon upgrades, and capabilities to strike opposing bases.

Liaoning Completes "Three Steps" in Ten Years

Guo Xinyu: Over the decade from 2016 to 2026, the Liaoning has transitioned from a training ship to a combat ship, and then to the core of the aircraft carrier group. What specific capability levels correspond to these three terms?

Military Commentator Du Wenlong: In ten years, the Liaoning has completed the "three steps," and in just a decade, our comprehensive capabilities have made a significant leap. The Liaoning is a vessel modified from foreign ships, and through this modification, we have become familiar with the basic principles of aircraft carriers.

Now, we have further upgraded it. From being able to sail and go to sea, it can now engage in combat. Therefore, the command system and weapon systems are relatively complete, and various strike capabilities, especially the comprehensive level of carrier-based aircraft, have significantly improved.

Now, through information systems, including command system integration, the Liaoning has become the core of the group, reappearing in the entire formation as the command ship. Its comprehensive combat capabilities, including carrier-based aircraft, missiles, and command systems, have seen significant advancements. The next step is to further enhance the Liaoning's combat capabilities through higher-intensity, realistic confrontation training in offshore areas.