China has significantly advanced its carrier aviation capabilities under President Xi Jinping, commissioning the Liaoning and two additional carriers, with more planned, including a nuclear-powered Type-004 by 2035. This development, a prestigious part of China's military modernization, involves prioritizing carrier aviation through unit transfers and expanding carrier air wings with advanced aircraft like low-observable combat aircraft and ASW helicopters.
The PLAN is also testing the GJ-21 uninhabited combat aerial vehicle for carrier operations, mirroring US Navy developments such as the MQ-25 Stingray and Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) concept. Training has progressed to 'around the clock' operations and cross-academy combat training, with initial carrier-based pilot training now conducted at the Naval Aviation University. Despite these strides, the PLAN faces recruitment challenges from demographics and civil aviation competition, alongside limited institutional experience in rapidly developing these capabilities.
No comments:
Post a Comment