(Photo/CCTV)

China's newest fighter pilots of a naval aviation division of the South China Sea Fleet of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) successfully conducted their first solo night flight drill over the South China Sea, CCTV news reported on Aug.22.

The new pilots conducted competitive training exercises, including multi-fighter cooperative air combat, intercepts, and searching for and attacking targets at night over the South China Sea.

(Photo/CCTV)

"Night flights are important for round-the-clock combat missions. By making full use of the complicated natural battlefield environment of the South China Sea, we hope to build an air force composed of competent fighter pilots," said Cui Meng, battalion chief of the naval aviation division.

The Chinese Navy training plan was based on research of night flights. The Navy also formulated a special implementation program and response measures in case of extraordinary circumstances ahead of the drill.