US Ally Simulated Attacks on China's Aircraft Carriers
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Japan reportedly conducted a military training exercise simulating attacks on aircraft carriers in June, while China simultaneously deployed two "flattops" in the wider Pacific Ocean.
Newsweek has emailed Japan's Defense Ministry and China's Foreign Ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
China has more than 370 combat ships and submarines—including two aircraft carriers, CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong—making it the largest navy in the world by hull count.
In June, both the Liaoning and the Shandong operated on the eastern side of the First Island Chain—a United States defensive line formed by its allies and partners, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines, in the Western Pacific—for about two weeks, a Newsweek map shows.
Facing what it described as "the greatest strategic challenge," Japan has been strengthening the defense of its southwestern islands by converting two warships into aircraft carriers, acquiring carrier-based stealth fighter jets, and deploying tilt-rotor aircraft.
What To Know
Citing several government sources, Japanese newspaper the Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Thursday that the country's F-2 fighter jets, capable of conducting anti-ship strikes, "checked procedures" for carrying out attacks against aircraft carriers with missiles during a training exercise.
This was conducted over the waters north of the disputed Senkaku Islands—part of Japan's southwestern islands but claimed by China as its territory—in the East China Sea.
Japanese F-2 fighter jets fly past during an International Fleet Review commemorating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force off Yokosuka, Japan, on November 6, 2022.
Japanese F-2 fighter jets fly past during an International Fleet Review commemorating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force off Yokosuka, Japan, on November 6, 2022.During China's dual aircraft carrier mission, the Liaoning transited near the Senkaku Islands in late May as it headed from the East China Sea toward the wider Pacific Ocean. It sailed near the islands again in mid-June as it returned to China, according to a Newsweek map.
The report noted the significance of the training exercise, noting that the F-2 fighter jet has limited stealth capabilities, indicating the drill appeared to be "visible" to Chinese forces. Furthermore, the training area was not what is considered a "standard location" for the Japanese military.
The F-2 fighter jet, jointly developed by Japan and the U.S. and based on the design of the American F-16, is optimized for an air-to-surface role to protect Japan's sea lanes. Each aircraft is reportedly capable of carrying up to four anti-ship missiles.
According to the report, one of the Chinese aircraft carriers played the role of a U.S. aircraft carrier during the deployment, while the other simulated intercepting it, testing China's capabilities in dealing with U.S. military intervention in the event of war.
Chinese aircraft carriers CNS Liaoning, top, and CNS Shandong, bottom, conduct flight operations with J-15 fighter jets in the western Pacific Ocean in early June 2025.
Chinese aircraft carriers CNS Liaoning, top, and CNS Shandong, bottom, conduct flight operations with J-15 fighter jets in the western Pacific Ocean in early June 2025.
Chinese military
What People Are Saying
A Japanese government source told the Yomiuri Shimbun: "Given when and where it was conducted and what it involved, this training was clearly intended to make sure China gets the message that it was conducted as a countermeasure [against them]."
The Chinese Navy said in June: "During the mission, the two [aircraft carrier] groups, in coordination with relevant arms of the service, conducted joint drills on maritime strikes, air and missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, and integrated long-range support, and thus significantly enhanced real combat capabilities."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen how Japan, with U.S. support, will further bolster its defense capabilities amid China's growing military presence around the First Island Chain.
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