China Shows Off Elaborate First Dual Aircraft Carrier Photo Op
China conducts the first dual carrier op with both operational aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong in the South China Sea.
www.navalnews.comI don’t have live access to current news sources right now, but I can share the latest-context around Liaoning CV-16 based on recently public reporting up to 2025–early 2026.
Core answer
- As of the latest widely reported activity, Liaoning (CV-16) has been involved in routine operations and drills with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), including training, carrier-airwing operations, and participation in multi-carrier or joint exercises. Reports in late 2024–2025 highlighted ongoing modernization activities for PLAN carriers and occasional dual-carrier operations in the Western Pacific region, signaling an increasing emphasis on carrier-strike group capabilities. Note that different sources may describe specific deployments or exercises with varying detail and dates.
Entity overview
- Liaoning CV-16 is China’s first aircraft carrier, originally a Soviet-era hull refurbished and commissioned by China in 2012. It has served as a platform for naval aviation training and as a testbed for carrier operations as PLAN expanded its carrier fleet. Contemporary reporting often frames Liaoning as a testbed and training vessel integral to the development of multi-carrier operations within the PLAN. This context remains consistent with established histories of the ship and its role in developing China’s carrier capabilities.[5][7]
Recent activity themes (summaries from multiple outlets)
- Dual-carrier considerations: There has been discussion in some outlets about Liaoning operating alongside newer carriers (notably Shandong and Fujian) as PLAN builds toward more complex carrier strike group (CSG) operations, including potential joint drills and increased aerial sortie activity from paired carriers. This reflects broader PLA Navy modernization trends rather than a single mission vintage.[2][3][4]
- Western Pacific presence: Occasional reporting notes Liaoning participating in exercises or deployments that extend beyond near-shore areas, signaling a shift toward more extended-range operations as part of China’s evolving naval posture. These accounts often describe Liaoning in concert with other carriers or strike group elements.[3][2]
- Publicly visible milestones: Coverage around Liaoning’s activities sometimes emphasizes training cycles, sea trials pre/post modernization, and routine flight operations to maintain readiness for carrier operations. Such reporting aligns with Liaoning’s ongoing role in PLAN training and operations.[6][5]
Illustrative example
- Dual-carrier drills with simultaneous operations by two carriers have been depicted in some sources as a milestone for PLAN, indicating growth in carrier integration and complex CSG capabilities. These narratives underline Liaoning’s participation in broader carrier operations as PLAN expands its three-carrier capability.[2][3]
Caveats and how to verify
- Specific dates, locations, and outcomes of Liaoning’s latest deployments or drills vary across outlets. For the most precise, up-to-date information, I’d recommend checking recent coverage from recognized defense and naval outlets (e.g., naval news, defense analyst sites) and official PLAN or Chinese defense ministry releases when available.[7][2]
Would you like me to look up the most current official statements or recent major reports and compile a concise timeline with citations? I can also create a quick chart summarizing Liaoning’s recent activity themes (training flights, dual-carrier ops, Western Pacific drills) if you’d like.