Maximum training
“Maximum” was the most frequently used word during the drill as the commanders hoped to use as many ways to simulate arduous and complicated actual combat to improve combat ability and weapon performance.
“Every detail of the scenario was designed to pose the maximum challenge that both sides might face in actual combat so as to test the limits of their skills and weaponry,” said Zhang Hanchuan.
To make the battlefield realistic, the fleet revised the drill plan more than 30 times and canceled all irrelevant programs.
During the drill, Submarine 326 kept receiving intelligence reports about the enemy.
“Threats came from the air and the sea,” said Captain Wang Jiayou. “We made independent decisions and simultaneously coordinated with partners to launch joint attacks. It was like real combat. I had a cold sweat from time to time.”
Both sides were also required to stage intensive long-range attacks, joint naval strikes and comprehensive air-defense and anti-missile operations. Through such exercises, commanders at various levels became more combat aware, while weaknesses were revealed and rectified.
New Tactics
Air and missile defense is a challenge for navies everywhere. Large surface fleets are becoming more vulnerable as missiles increase their penetration capability, and become more accurate and smarter. The South China Sea Fleet organized the interception of supersonic anti-ship missiles by surface ships and maximized the difficulty to test air-defense and anti-missile capabilities.
When the Blue Force launched missile attacks, several supersonic anti-ship missiles flew toward the Red Force fleet and were picked up by the latter’s warning system. When the Red Force was about to activate smart identification of the targets, strong electromagnetic interference was detected. Immediately the Red side took counter-measures and electromagnetic suppression. Under this cover, the frigates Wuhan and Hengyang launched missiles and hit the incoming projectiles accurately.
Several breakthroughs and innovations were made in new tactics, such as the joint launch of mines under anti-submarine conditions, missile interception by new types of frigates, joint naval strikes from shore, air and underwater as well as the interception of high-speed, low-altitude targets by air units. The actual combat capabilities of new equipment were tested.
The fleet also organized long-distance transportation of island forces to confront extreme low-altitude targets and assessed its own capabilities in force projection, frontier building and integrated logistics support.
