China’s Aircraft Carrier and Drones Operating in the Waters off Okinawa

Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning at the Philippine Sea JSDF Photo

Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Liaoning Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is operating in the East China Sea following two weeks in the Philippine Sea. After its brief Western Pacific patrol, the CSG is likely to return home. According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have been crossing the Miyako Strait between the East China Sea and the Pacific, and returned the same route on Sunday and Monday.

People’s Liberation Army Navy escorts assigned to the Liaoning Carrier Strike Group. From top: CNS Chengdu (120), CNS Anshan (103), and CNS Wuxi (104), and CNS Zhaozhuang (542). JSDF Photo

Carrier CNS comprises the entire package Liaoning (16) Guided-missile cruisers CNS Anshan (103) and CNS Wuxi (104), guided-missile destroyer CNS Chengdu (120), frigate CNS Zhaozhuang (542) and fast battle support ship CNS Hulunhu On Dec. 16, (901) passed through the Miyako strait, which connects the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Then, he began flying operations in the Philippine Sea. Japan’s Joint Staff Office (JSO) of the Ministry of Defense said the CSG had sailed northward through the Miyako Strait into the East China Sea on Sunday. The following table lists sightings of CSG Liaoning from December 28-31 was also included in the release.

From Wednesday through Saturday Liaoning The carrier was responsible for approximately 20 launches and returns of fighter aircraft, and about 40 take-offs or landings of helicopters. Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighter aircraft were mobilized in response to the fighter activity. According to the release, approximately 320 take-offs or landings of fighters and helicopters were performed between December 17th and 31st. Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer JS Ariake (DD-109), replenishment ship JS Towada (AOE-422) and a JMSDF P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft from Fleet Air Wing 5 based in Naha Air Base, Okinawa observed the PLAN CSG according the release.

On Sunday, a Chinese WZ-7 Soaring Dragon Unmanned Aerial Vehicle flew in from East China Sea through Miyako Strit. It reached the Pacific Ocean south of the Sakishima Islands before reversing course and returning to East China Sea via Miyako Strit. The release stated that JASDF fighters had been scrambled in response to the UAV’s flight and this was the first time that the WZ-7 UAV had been sighted operating around Japan. A JSO release stated that a WZ-7 UAV flew in Monday from the East China Sea. It followed the same route as Sunday’s and that JASDF fighters responded.

WZ-7 Soaring Dragon January 1, 2023

The WZ-7 UAV, which has been in service since 2018, is a high-altitude, long-endurance UAV with a similar profile and mission as the U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk, though the Soaring Dragon’s range and endurance are less than the Global Hawk. The Miyako Strait is a 155-mile-wide passageway between Okinawa and Miyako Island which are considered international waters and airspace, Chinese military ships, aircraft and UAVs transit regularly through it from and to the East China Sea with Japan’s military shadowing their movements owing to their proximity to Japan.

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