A navy cannot simply copy another service's carrier doctrine; it must learn how the ship and air wing fit its own strategy and operating concepts. Liaoning gave China a working cradle in which to train pilots, test procedures, and discover how carrier aviation interacted with the wider fleet. Liaoning and Shandong served as necessary stepping stones. Fujian better reflects the broader status and power-projection role that China discovered it wanted beyond the original local air-defense concept.
Chapter · 14:42-18:55
Liaoning and the J-15 as doctrine-building tools
China's first two carriers provided essential experience but also revealed a shift from local air defense toward status and power projection.