Chinese bomber exercise affirms air-defence identification zone, penetrates Second Island Chain

[Zarvan]

30 November 2015

China's PLAAF conducted long-range maritime exercises in the East China Sea with its new H-6K bombers on 27 November 2015. Source: Japanese MoD
An unusually large People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) formation of eight bombers supported by three surveillance and electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft exercised over the East China Sea on 27 November before flying a long distance inside the Second Island Chain.

A PLAAF spokesman was quoted in state media as having described the exercise as affirming China's East China Sea Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), declared in December 2013.

Details released by the Japanese Ministry of Defense show that eight Xian Aircraft Corporation H-6K bombers exercised in two groups of four aircraft each (two company-level squadrons subordinate to a regiment).

Photos of the bombers taken by intercepting Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) fighters indicate that one group of H-6Ks was from the 28th Regiment of the PLAAF's 10th Division, based in Anqing, about 450 km east of Shanghai.

One group of H-6K bombers appeared to stay within China's new East China Sea Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), declared in December 2013. Until the two bomber groups separated west of Okinawa, the formation was supported by a single PLAAF KJ-200 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.

A second group of four H-6K bombers then continued through the Ryukyu Island Chain and over the Miyako Strait near Miyakojima Island. A PLAAF spokesman was quoted in Chinese state media saying the bombers then flew 1,000 km into the Second Island Chain.

This group of H-6Ks was supported by two PLAAF ELINT aircraft: a modified Tupolev Tu-154MD and a Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation Y-8CB. The latter may also have had jamming capabilities on board.

Entering service in 2011, the H-6K is powered by two Russian Soloviev D-30-KP2 turbofans and has an estimated combat radius greater than 3,500 km. It can carry six wing-mounted cruise missiles such as the 2,000 km-range DF-10 land attack cruise missile and possibly the 250-400 km-range, Mach 4 speed, ramjet-powered YJ-12 anti-ship missile.

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Chinese bomber exercise affirms air-defence identification zone, penetrates Second Island Chain | IHS Jane's 360

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

"Entering service in 2011, the H-6K is powered by two Russian Soloviev D-30-KP2 turbofans and has an estimated combat radius greater than 3,500 km"

China -> Miyakojima Island -> Guam

 

[Beast]

View attachment 276302
Miyakojima Island

They passed through international water which is undisputed. What's new?

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

They passed through international water which is undisputed. What's new?

Just trying to draw a picture for people of where they were and the distances.

 

[Beidou2020]

Why 8 H-6K strategic bombers?

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

B2 bomber unrefueled combat radius (4800km).

Actually I think a B2 could even make it unrefueled to Saudi Arabia to land (or possibly Turkey).

B1 bomber unrefueled combat radius is even more (6000km).

B52 unrefueled combat radius is even more (8000km)

 

[BoQ77]

Well done with Tu-16, China !!!
Next time, use Tu-95 or Tu-160 for international patrol please !!!

1xF14 escorting 2xTu-16
Now it would be F-18, next F-35C

 

[Beidou2020]

Well done with Tu-16, China !!!
Next time, use Tu-95 or Tu-160 for international patrol please !!!

1xF14 escorting 2xTu-16
Now it would be F-18, next F-35C

No need. H-6K is more than enough to turn anyone in Asia that wants to fight China into glass.
H-18 and H-20 are under development for global ambitions.

 

[BoQ77]

F15J s keep smiling, looking at those during the exercise.
Japanese could teach Asian how to air attack Hawaii as they did more than 70 years ago.
Without escort, Tu-xx are too easy targets for any country to shoot down.

 

[Beast]

F15J s keep smiling, looking at those during the exercise.
Japanese could teach Asian how to air attack Hawaii as they did more than 70 years ago.
Without escort, Tu-xx are too easy targets for any country to shoot down.

Not without Stand off cruise missile.

 

[CN.Black]

F15J s keep smiling, looking at those during the exercise.
Japanese could teach Asian how to air attack Hawaii as they did more than 70 years ago.
Without escort, Tu-xx are too easy targets for any country to shoot down.

Tough H6K is developed from tu16, but these bomer are brandly new. They were just pulled out from factory of AVIC.And H6k is only a platform used to lauch CJ10 cruise missle which has a rage over 2000 km.And now tell me which AAM has a range over 2000 km.Tu95 and b52 have no difference with H6k apart from the size, they are also very slow and easy to be shot down. Nowadays, the main weapon of bomers is cruise missle but not bomb.So they don't need to approach the target. They can destroy the target at a safe distance.

 

[Beast]

Tough H6K is developed from tu16, but these bomer are brandly new. They were just pulled out from factory of AVIC.And H6k is only a platform used to lauch CJ10 cruise missle which has a rage over 2000 km.And now tell me which AAM has a range over 2000 km.Tu95 and b52 have no difference with H6k apart from the size, they are also very slow and easy to be shot down. Nowadays, the main weapon of bomers is cruise missle but not bomb.So they don't need to approach the target. They can destroy the target at a safe distance.

There's a reason why PLAAF gives the prestige name ' God of War' to H-6K.
H-6K is also useful in future China power projection proxy war conflict. Giving China the ability to rapidly strike main continent enemy in superpower proxy war like syria civil war if needed.

 

[BoQ77]

Tough H6K is developed from tu16, but these bomer are brandly new. They were just pulled out from factory of AVIC.And H6k is only a platform used to lauch CJ10 cruise missle which has a rage over 2000 km.And now tell me which AAM has a range over 2000 km.Tu95 and b52 have no difference with H6k apart from the size, they are also very slow and easy to be shot down. Nowadays, the main weapon of bomers is cruise missle but not bomb.So they don't need to approach the target. They can destroy the target at a safe distance.

you ignore my mention about escort?
KH101 KH55 is something new?
Russian Tu 16 and D30 engines, simply obsolete to Russia, and to USA. That's why I recommend another platform, even Tu22M3 is better.
Exercise without escort is ok but what the actual attack going on without escort?
F15J would grin at the interception. F18 and F35C also could engage anytime.
the launch of max 7 slow cruise missiles at high altitude x 8 H6K is more meaningful than 154 tomahawk launched from 1 sub anywhere in ECS or nearby?

 

[Beast]

you ignore my mention about escort?
KH101 KH55 is something new?
Russian Tu 16 and D30 engines, simply obsolete to Russia, and to USA. That's why I recommend another platform, even Tu22M3 is better.
Exercise without escort is ok but what the actual attack going on without escort?
F15J would grin at the interception. F18 and F35C also could engage anytime.
the launch of max 7 slow cruise missiles at high altitude x 8 H6K is more meaningful than 154 tomahawk launched from 1 sub anywhere in ECS or nearby?

We will flatten Japan airbases with our DF-15 missile since its so near China. With no F-15J, we will fly into western pacific ocean to engage the Pacific fleet with H-6K.

 

[BoQ77]

We will flatten Japan airbases with our DF-15 missile since its so near China. With no F-15J, we will fly into western pacific ocean to engage the Pacific fleet with H-6K.

Japanese is familiar with similar verbal attack from North Korea, you know.