PLA holds live-fire exercise on southeast coast

An armed helicopter assaults targets with rocket projectiles in a live-fire exercise off China's southeast coast, April 18, 2018. An air unit of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) ground force Wednesday held a live-fire exercise off China's southeast coast. The exercise, which involved the coordination of various types of armed helicopters, was an annual routine arrangement and tested the force's all-weather combat capability. (Xinhua/Li Shilong)

FUZHOU, April 19 (Xinhua) -- An air unit of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) ground force Wednesday held a live-fire exercise off China's southeast coast, the ground force said Thursday.

The exercise, which involved the coordination of various types of armed helicopters, was an annual routine arrangement and tested the force's all-weather combat capability, it said.

At around 9 a.m., helicopters carrying a variety of ammunition were ready to fly to designated waters.

After taking off, pilots set their own courses and detected targets on the water, then assaulted floating targets and simulated ships with missiles and rocket projectiles.

The exercise was conducted throughout a complex electromagnetic environment and ended at around 11 p.m. with the landing of the last helicopter.

An armed helicopter is loaded with ammunition for a live-fire exercise off China's southeast coast, April 18, 2018. An air unit of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) ground force Wednesday held a live-fire exercise off China's southeast coast. The exercise, which involved the coordination of various types of armed helicopters, was an annual routine arrangement and tested the force's all-weather combat capability. (Xinhua/Li Shilong)

Armed helicopters fly to designated waters in a live-fire exercise off China's southeast coast, April 18, 2018. An air unit of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) ground force Wednesday held a live-fire exercise off China's southeast coast. The exercise, which involved the coordination of various types of armed helicopters, was an annual routine arrangement and tested the force's all-weather combat capability. (Xinhua/Li Shilong)

Sun Yongfu, deputy commander of the exercise, said the exercise was carried out in line with real combat standards, and has effectively improved the force's capabilities to fulfill missions and tasks.