The PLA Liaoning aircraft carrier group has completed over 40 days of far-sea combat training and returned to its home port in Qingdao this week. On Saturday (June 27), Chinese state media for the first time publicly revealed information about the carrier-based J-15T catapult-launched fighter participating in the training, stating that the aircraft's radar and weaponry have been comprehensively upgraded, which will significantly enhance the overall combat power of the Liaoning. The report also indicated that the Japanese military’s harassment of the Liaoning group has changed significantly, now coming especially close and even conducting targeted simulated attacks.
CCTV reported on Saturday that Japan's harassment of the Liaoning carrier group has undergone a major change: “Recently, the Japanese side has made a significant change in the way they harass the PLA’s naval formations—they are coming especially close. According to Japanese reports, they are also conducting a series of targeted simulated attacks at the same time.”
CCTV special commentator Teng Jianqun said that Japan has long tracked and monitored Chinese fleets heading to the Western Pacific, and recently these harassing actions are being carried out at closer distances, and even with targeted, simulated attacks. Chinese ships and aircraft must maintain a high state of alert to ensure the absolute security of the group.
Previously, Chinese state media reported last Monday that while the Liaoning carrier group and an amphibious assault ship group were conducting joint exercises in the Western Pacific, Japanese ships and aircraft repeatedly tracked and monitored them at close range and engaged in harassment and provocation. The Liaoning group remained in a state of heightened alert throughout, continuously launching carrier-based fighters and flexibly changing combat formations, responding professionally and prudently to Japan’s dangerous actions.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense on Wednesday (June 24) denied harassing or provoking the Chinese Navy Liaoning carrier group during its training in the Western Pacific.
The Joint Staff Office under the Japanese Ministry of Defense posted on social platform X on Wednesday evening, stating that Chinese state media’s claim that, during joint exercises between the Liaoning carrier group and the amphibious assault ship group in the Western Pacific, Japanese ships and aircraft repeatedly tracked, monitored, harassed, or provoked them, is not true.
The post stated that the Japanese Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces will continue to conduct professional monitoring in the air and sea areas around Japan, and, under the premise of ensuring safety, will take all possible measures with a calm and resolute attitude to safeguard Japan’s sovereignty and security.
On another note, the CCTV program “Military Intelligence Time” revealed on Saturday that China’s independently developed single-seat heavy catapult-launched carrier-based fighter, the J-15T, participated in the training.
The report quoted Chinese military commentator Zhang Xuefeng as saying that the J-15T is an improved version based on the basic J-15, compatible with both catapult and ski-jump take-offs, and has had its avionics and onboard weapons significantly upgraded. The aircraft uses a new active phased array radar, greatly enhancing detection range and electronic warfare capability, and can be equipped with the PL-15 air-to-air missile to fully exploit its range advantage.
Zhang Xuefeng said that after the Liaoning is equipped with this fighter, its overall air superiority, anti-ship, and ground attack capabilities will be greatly improved.