Liaoning and J-15 jets to conduct drills in South China Sea

China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, has set sail from the Qingdao naval base in northern China's Shandong province and will reach the disputed South China Sea within months to conduct a range of military training exercises, our sister paper Want Daily reports.

The J-15 naval carrier-based fighter jets will also join in the military exercises and will conduct live-fire tests to enhance air defense anti-missile, anti-ship, anti-submarine capabilities in three areas.

Two J-15 fighters fly over the Liaoning aircraft carrier during a drill on Sept. 21. (Photo/CNS)

The live-fire tests will begin next year in the South China Sea, testing the J-15 fighter's capability in air combat and anti-ship warfare missions, according to a report by Hong Kong's Phoenix New Media.

The J-15 fighters will also test their scrambling capabilities and perform nighttime drills in the next three to five months to ensure they possess the power to attack remote outposts and their 24-hour fighting capability, the report said.

In addition to the J-15, the aircraft-carrier fleet includes two destroyers, two cruisers and two frigates to match the Liaoning. The country's nuclear-powered submarines will also join the fleet in the training exercises.

Meanwhile, observers said the aircraft carrier will run exercises in different areas and open waters, and the Liaoning and J-15 jets will have to prove whether they are capable of operating in the hot temperatures and high humidity of the South China Sea.

A number of countries lay claim to islands in the region, notably the Spratly islands consisting of more than 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays and islands. They are claimed in whole or in part by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Want China Times