China forms first carrier-based aircraft unit

China has formally established its first carrier-based aircraft unit. The unit is expected to be composed of naval fighters, anti-submarine aircraft and reconnaissance aircrafts.

Training of the aircraft crew and pilots has been completed, as announced on Friday.

China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, entered service in September last year. Two months later, China's J-15 fighter jet made its maiden landing on the carrier.

The J-15 can carry anti-ship, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles as well as precision-guided bombs.