A J-15 takes-off from the Liaoning (Photo : PLAN)
Chinese media is hyping the "growing combat capabilities" of China's only aircraft carrier, the Liaoning (CV-16), but has omitted mentioning the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) classifies this outdated carrier as a training ship that likely won't go to war given its many deficits.
State-run Chinese television last week lavished praise on the Liaoning, which war bought from the Soviet Union as the Riga, an Admiral Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier. The propaganda hype surrounding the Liaoning is seen as part of Beijing's campaign to reassure the public China has the naval strength to defend its interests in the South China Sea against the United States, Japan, Australia and their Asian allies.
TV broadcasts showed the Liaoning with a complement of eight Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark carrier-based multi-role fighters on deck. Accompanying the J-15s were a Z-18J airborne early warning (AEW) and Z-18F anti-submarine (ASW) helicopter.
Liaoning's J-15s use a ski jump to take-off from the carrier, a mode that greatly limits the number of weapons they can carry. The J-15 is also plagued by unreliable engines.
Commentators noted the collection of aircraft on the Liaoning was the largest number of aircraft yet seen on the carrier and signifies China's plans to organize carrier battle fleets to patrol the Pacific. China plans to build three more carriers and has begun the construction of the first, the Type 001A, at the Dalian shipyards.
"Once all eight aircraft fly out in formation, they have a strong combat capability," said Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo on a TV program earlier this month.
He said the Liaoning can carry up to 20 aircraft (jets and helicopters), prompting Chinese media to note the carrier exhibits "growing combat capability."
The presence of Z-18J and Z-18F helicopters never before seen together the J-15 on the Liaoning likely constitutes a full carrier air-wing.
