The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy executed its first-ever dual aircraft carrier formation exercises in the contested waters of the South China Sea, a move signaling China’s increasing ability to project power across diverse and challenging environments. According to a statement from the PLA Navy’s official Weibo account, the aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong engaged in joint maneuvers aimed at enhancing China’s combat preparedness, a strategic advancement as Beijing seeks to assert its territorial claims in the region.
The dual-carrier exercise not only marks a milestone in China’s military history but also reflects the country’s intent to elevate its operational flexibility and military capacity on the world stage. The PLA Navy’s operations are likely to impact regional dynamics, especially among China’s neighboring countries with whom it has longstanding maritime disputes. As China continues to develop its third aircraft carrier, Fujian, which is undergoing sea trials, this exercise positions China’s navy to advance its global military footprint and its geopolitical interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
The exercise included maneuvers in three major seas surrounding China: the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and South China Sea, ultimately culminating in the South China Sea. This marked a calculated trajectory through China’s regional maritime areas before returning to base. The drill tested the PLA Navy’s ability to coordinate between two carrier strike groups—each led by either Liaoning or Shandong—alongside multiple support vessels, submarines, and air contingents. Such dual-carrier formations necessitate complex coordination, high levels of logistical readiness, and a robust support system to maintain operational endurance over extended periods, all of which China demonstrated effectively in this exercise.
In its official statement, the PLA Navy emphasized the strategic intention behind the exercises: “In the South China Sea, the Liaoning and Shandong ship formations conducted a dual carrier formation exercise for the first time to hone and improve the combat capability of the aircraft carrier formation system.” Such coordinated exercises not only hone combat proficiency but also reinforce the operational readiness of China’s aircraft carriers, essential for missions that span defensive as well as power projection objectives.
The choice of the South China Sea as the main venue for this exercise underscores its strategic importance to China. Covering an area of approximately 3.5 million square kilometers, the South China Sea is a vital maritime route, with a third of the world’s maritime traffic transiting its waters annually. It is also resource-rich, with vast deposits of oil and natural gas beneath its seabed. Due to these factors, the region has become a hotbed of territorial claims and contestations. China claims the majority of the South China Sea under its controversial “nine-dash line,” a demarcation that overlaps with claims by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan.
This exercise follows a series of other assertive actions by China in the region. The PLA Navy has steadily increased its patrols, island-building initiatives, and other fortifications on disputed reefs and islands. Dual-carrier operations in these waters indicate China’s commitment to securing what it considers sovereign territory. However, neighboring countries and international actors view these exercises as aggressive, likely leading to heightened scrutiny and countermeasures from regional players and the United States.
The Liaoning and Shandong, China’s first two active aircraft carriers, serve as flagship symbols of the PLA Navy’s rapid modernization and strategic evolution. The Liaoning, originally a Soviet vessel, was acquired from Ukraine and refitted for PLA Navy service, becoming operational in 2012. Its induction into the fleet marked China’s entry into the exclusive group of countries capable of deploying aircraft carriers. The Shandong, an indigenously built carrier and an upgraded version of Liaoning, entered service in 2019, reinforcing China’s carrier-based capabilities.
These carriers, equipped with a variety of fighter jets, helicopters, and sophisticated radar systems, enable China to carry out extended-range operations. The Shandong, in particular, has been deployed in numerous naval drills, showcasing enhanced stealth and weapons capabilities. Both vessels are equipped with J-15 fighter jets, a versatile aircraft designed for air superiority and ground attack missions, making them key components of China’s air-sea strategy.
While the Liaoning and Shandong form the backbone of China’s current carrier fleet, the development of the third carrier, Fujian, reflects China’s long-term ambition to possess a blue-water navy capable of sustaining operations in distant regions. Unveiled in June 2022, the Fujian incorporates an electromagnetic catapult launch system similar to the U.S. Navy’s advanced Ford-class carriers. This technology will enable faster take-off, increased payloads, and a broader array of aircraft types, setting the Fujian apart as a more capable vessel than its predecessors. Once operational, Fujian will likely allow China to perform more sophisticated and multi-dimensional missions in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
The deployment of two aircraft carriers in joint exercises highlights the PLA Navy’s commitment to modernizing its naval capabilities in line with China’s broader strategic objectives. Dual-carrier operations signify not only an increase in operational flexibility but also a heightened ability to conduct sustained combat and patrol missions over a vast expanse, covering both sea and air domains. These capabilities are crucial for China’s aspirations to secure its maritime interests, expand its global military reach, and establish itself as a dominant regional power.
Dual-carrier operations are considered among the most advanced and complex maneuvers a navy can undertake, typically requiring well-orchestrated logistics, refueling capabilities, and air cover. The PLA Navy’s successful execution of this maneuver demonstrates a significant leap in both skill and technology. The exercise underscored the Chinese military’s focus on enhancing its power projection capabilities, enabling China to respond effectively to perceived threats in the region and project a deterrent force against potential adversaries.
China’s military drills in disputed waters carry inherent risks of miscalculation or accidental confrontation, especially as tensions with other South China Sea claimants remain unresolved. As China ramps up its military presence in the region, neighboring nations may feel pressured to respond with their own military buildups, risking an arms race in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the increased deployment of Chinese forces raises the likelihood of confrontations with U.S. and allied vessels, which could trigger unintended escalation.
The dual-carrier exercise represents a significant advance for the PLA Navy, yet it is likely only the beginning of more intensive naval developments. With Fujian nearing operational status and additional aircraft carriers reportedly in planning, China’s naval force structure will continue evolving. China may seek to expand its sphere of influence, potentially setting up additional bases in strategic locations, such as the Indian Ocean, to ensure logistical support for extended missions. The evolving doctrine suggests that China’s navy will emphasize long-range power projection, operational sustainability, and regional deterrence in the coming years.
As China expands its fleet and improves its operational proficiency, regional actors may adopt a multi-pronged approach, combining diplomatic pressure, increased defense spending, and collaborative security frameworks such as the Quad. The aim will be to counterbalance China’s rising influence and prevent unilateral control of international waters.
