The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning performs military exercises near Japanese waters in May 2022. The People’s Liberation Army Navy has prepared its pilots for attacks on US vessels, but has reacted with anger to similar preparations among US regional allies. (Japan Ministry of Defense)

China Is Practicing ‘Sinking’ US Carriers—but Doesn’t Like Japan Doing the Same

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Despite China’s pearl-clutching over Japanese preparations against its carriers, it has built an elaborate test range for its aircraft in Xinjiang for the same purpose.

Prior to World War II, the Imperial Japanese Navy actively refined its tactics to strike and sink the US Navy’s battleships. Those efforts, which were largely conducted in secret, were vindicated during the December 1941 surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

In the decades since, many other naval air wings have established training routines to attack enemy ships. The modern Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has reportedly been practicing for an attack on China’s first aircraft carrier, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Type 001 CNS Liaoning.

“Outrageously audacious! Japan actually simulated an attack on the Liaoning aircraft carrier,” Chinese state media broadcaster CCTV announced over the weekend—noting that the JMSDF had actively monitored and tracked the movements of the Type 001 flattop during its recent........

© The National Interest