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China's First Dual-Carrier Group:
A Leap in Blue-Water Capabilities
Looking at the Chinese Navy's trajectory over the past decade, while it has conducted carrier group training multiple times, this is the first time a dual-carrier formation has operated together for a long-distance exercise. In contrast, the U.S. Navy has had a mature carrier battle group system since the Cold War, with nuclear-powered carriers like the USS Carl Vinson frequently patrolling global hotspots.
The Chinese Navy's dual-carrier formation training not only signifies a qualitative leap in its carrier combat capabilities but also marks the PLA's establishment of a multi-layered, three-dimensional maritime combat system in the Western Pacific. What strategic significance lies behind this "deep-blue dance" that has sparked global discussion? Let's take a deep dive to unravel the mystery.

Dual-Carrier Formation: A Leap in Blue-Water Capabilities
In the military world, a dual-carrier formation is not simply about putting two aircraft carriers together. It's like a basketball team; you can't just throw two star players on the court and expect to win. A dual-carrier formation requires a complex, integrated system of coordinated operations, with every component working closely together to achieve maximum power.
Historically, the U.S. Navy has extensive experience in using dual-carrier formations. As early as World War II, the U.S. Navy began experimenting with multi-carrier formation combat. In the Battle of Midway, U.S. carrier formations worked together to successfully turn the tide and severely damage the Japanese Navy. This battle gave the U.S. Navy a profound understanding of the immense advantages of multi-carrier formations in long-distance operations. Since then, the U.S. has continuously developed and refined its combat doctrine and tactics for dual- and multi-carrier formations. Today, the U.S. Navy's dual-carrier formations possess powerful air, sea, and land strike capabilities, standing as the "ceiling" for global maritime combat forces.
Looking at Europe, the UK's Royal Navy also has a long history of carrier development. Although the British Navy currently has only two carriers, it has put significant effort into cultivating formation combat capabilities. The British carrier formations focus on synergistic operations with NATO allies, continuously enhancing their combat readiness in complex environments through joint military exercises.
So, how does China's dual-carrier formation enhance its blue-water capabilities? First, a dual-carrier formation significantly increases the number and frequency of aircraft sorties. The two carriers act as two massive mobile airfields, allowing carrier-based aircraft to take off and land in a rotation, greatly extending the duration of air operations. Imagine a distant battlefield where one side has only one carrier, and its aircraft need a long time to refuel and rearm before they can take off again. The other side has two carriers, with aircraft continuously launching into combat. This gives them a massive advantage in an air battle. Second, a dual-carrier formation allows for better division of labor. One carrier can focus primarily on air defense, while the other can concentrate on anti-ship or land-attack missions. Such a division of labor can dramatically increase the combat efficiency of the carrier group. Therefore, the emergence of China's dual-carrier formation represents a qualitative leap in the Chinese Navy's blue-water capabilities, and this is one of the key reasons it has attracted global attention.