NEW | CHINA / JAPAN 🇨🇳🇯🇵
Armed Conflict · · China
NEW | CHINA / JAPAN 🇨🇳🇯🇵
China's aircraft carrier Liaoning has passed between Okinawa and Miyako Island and conducted fighter jet launch and recovery operations in the Philippine Sea, according to Japan's Joint Staff Office.
The carrier was accompanied by three warships: two Type 055 Renhai-class destroyers (103 and 104) and one Type 052D Luyang III-class destroyer (123).
Japanese forces initially tracked the group on October 13, before confirming its southeastward transit into the Pacific on October 14.
Carrier-based fighter operations were subsequently observed approximately 250 km south of Ishigaki Island.
Japan deployed the destroyer JS Yugiri, P-1 and P-3C maritime patrol aircraft to monitor the formation, while Japanese fighter jets were scrambled in response to the carrier's flight operations.
Beijing describes the deployment as routine training, not directed against any particular country.
Japan and the United States are preparing to begin Keen Sword 27 on October 19, including military activities across Japan's southwestern islands.
Still, the combination of carrier transit and flight operations demonstrates China's ability to conduct sustained naval aviation activities beyond the first island chain, requiring Japan to monitor both the ships and their aircraft.
Tokyo's report does not establish a violation of Japanese territorial airspace.
Source: @GeoInsider
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