Japan deployed 12 fighter jets, equipped with 48 anti-ship missiles, apparently simulating a confrontation with the Liaoning aircraft carrier!
On December 9, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) unexpectedly deployed two flight squadrons of 12 F-2 fighter jets from the Chikugo Air Base in Kyushu, heading towards the sea to the southeast.
From on-site photos and videos uploaded by Japanese netizens, each F-2 was equipped with four ASM-2 anti-ship missiles and two AAM-3 short-range air-to-air missiles—this is close to a combat-ready weapon configuration.
At almost the same time, the "Liaoning" aircraft carrier group was conducting long-range training operations in the western Pacific Ocean, about hundreds of kilometers to the southeast of Japan. Since the incident where the J-15 locked onto the F-15, the Liaoning's combat readiness training has never stopped.
Perhaps feeling embarrassed, this time, Japan did not limit itself to reconnaissance or escort flights, but directly launched an entire formation of F-2 squadrons fully armed with anti-ship missiles, marking a clear escalation of actions.
From a tactical perspective, the configuration of 12 F-2s carrying 48 ASM-2 missiles is unlikely to be for routine patrol or surveillance missions. The ASM-2 is an subsonic anti-ship missile with active radar guidance, with a maximum range of about 150 kilometers. It is an older model that came into service in the 1990s. Although it has some low-altitude penetration capability, its success rate in penetrating modern naval warfare environments is extremely low, especially when facing the 055 destroyers equipped with phased array radars, long-range area defense systems (such as the HQ-9B) and coordinated combat capabilities.
Not to mention that the Liaoning carrier group itself has ship-based early warning helicopters, J-15 carrier-based aircraft, and a multi-layered air defense system.
So why would Japan deploy such a "outdated but concentrated" strike force? The answer likely lies in the nature of the exercise—a typical simulation of a "saturation attack against an aircraft carrier." Since the Cold War, the JASDF has long regarded "preventing enemy aircraft carriers from entering the East China Sea and key waterways in the Western Pacific" as one of its core operational scenarios.
Although the ASM-2 has limited performance, through multiple aircraft, multiple directions, and multiple waves of simultaneous firing, it can still test the command and control, target allocation, electronic jamming, and penetration coordination capabilities of the system. In other words, this is not about actually attacking, but rather practicing how to attack.
The Japanese side should still be taken seriously. Of course, the Liaoning will not be complacent; simulating various scenarios is designed to create real combat situations, making this an ideal training environment.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851174048674825/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.