China holds anti-submarine drills as regional rivals boost underwater forces
- PLA naval air force ‘always ready for battle’, says command overseeing operations around Taiwan and East China Sea
- High-intensity warfare training features Shaanxi Y-8 planes and target identification and tracking exercises
The Chinese navy has intensified its anti-submarine training through high-intensity drills as the US, Australia and Japan seek to build up underwater forces in the region.
Photos posted on the command’s official social media account showed at least three Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft lined up side by side in a lit-up hangar at night preparing for take-off.
During the exercise, crew members identified false targets and real submarines by throwing sonar buoys and analysing radar, magnetic, optical, and electronic signals. They locked on the targets and continuously tracked and monitored them, according to the command.
The command said the drills highlighted the use of real war scenarios in training and accelerated the development of troops’ ability to persevere in combat and fight in complex environments.