A Z-8 shipborne helicopter from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Naval Aviation University lands on the training ship Qi Jiguang of the PLA Dalian Naval Academy during the two academies' first vessel-aircraft integration training, which was held in the Bohai Sea in 2025. Photo: Screenshot from the military channel of China Central Television

Two major academies of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy responsible for training ship and aircraft personnel recently conducted their first vessel-aircraft integration training. An expert said on Wednesday that the move will boost training efficiency and accelerate the development of combat capabilities.

The Dalian Naval Academy and the Naval Aviation University jointly conducted day-and-night vessel-aircraft integration training in an undisclosed area of the Bohai Sea recently. The Dalian Naval Academy deployed multiple vessels, while the Naval Aviation University mobilized various types of shipborne helicopters, the military channel of China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Wednesday.

Together, they completed exercises such as vessel-aircraft coordination, maritime search and rescue, and target identification. 

It marks the first cross-institution joint combat-oriented training exercise conducted by naval academies, according to the CCTV report.

The CCTV report footage shows multiple Z-8 helicopters taking off from a land-based airfield, flying over the sea and practicing landing and takeoff on the training ship Qi Jiguang (Hull 83) of the Dalian Naval Academy.

Another scene shows a Z-9 helicopter landing on the aft deck of another vessel at night.

During the exercise, the vessels provided target guidance to the aircraft, while the aircraft provided air support for the vessels.

Wang Hongliang from the Naval Aviation University said that the training enabled crews to further familiarize themselves with the procedures of vessel command and aircraft support, laying a solid foundation for future combat missions in the far seas, CCTV reported.

Joint training among academies of the PLA Navy has officially entered new phase of resource sharing and capability complementing, CCTV said.

Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the training represents a new initiative by the PLA Navy to maximize academy resources. This will boost not only the cadets' operational capabilities but also their joint mission awareness, contributing to training efficiency and combat readiness.

The PLA Navy operates a large number of warships, including aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, destroyers and frigates, that are capable of hosting helicopters.

Wang Yunfei highlighted that anti-submarine warfare is one of the primary missions for shipborne helicopters. He said that the PLA Navy's Z-9, Z-18 and Z-20 helicopters are all capable of carrying anti-submarine equipment, making them as key assets in anti-submarine operations.

Shipborne helicopters can also perform multiple missions including anti-ship operations, electronic warfare, combat transport, fire support, and maritime search and rescue, according to official media reports.