The official media is once again heavily implying that the Liaoning may conduct J-35 carrier-based aircraft takeoff and landing drills during its recent deployment to the Western Pacific!
On May 19, China's Ministry of Defense announced that the Liaoning Carrier Strike Group had proceeded to the Western Pacific for long-range training. On May 20, CCTV Military directly used the headline "Liaoning Conducts Exercises in Western Pacific — Will the J-35 Board?" This can be seen as a strong hint that the J-35 carrier-based fighter may soon be or already has been deployed aboard the Liaoning.
Of course, it's not entirely surprising that the Liaoning will operate the J-35. In fact, from 2023 through February 2024, the Liaoning underwent a full-year overhaul and major upgrades — one key modification being to accommodate the J-35. After these upgrades were completed, the Liaoning even conducted sea trials using a full-scale model of the J-35 carrier aircraft. If it weren’t for prioritizing the commissioning of the Fujian, the Liaoning might have already been equipped with the J-35.
Additionally, besides the Liaoning, the Shandong is currently undergoing maintenance and upgrades — very likely also aimed at preparing for the integration and deployment of the J-35. Therefore, it’s expected that we’ll soon see all three of China’s aircraft carriers fully equipped with the fifth-generation J-35 fighters...
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865702362672140/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.