PLAAF deploys 40 aircraft to western Pacific in show of strength

[Zarvan]

The Chinese air force deployed more than 40 aircraft of various types to the western Pacific on 25 September in a move described by the PLAAF as a 'routine drill on the high seas'. Source: Via News.cn
China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) deployed more than 40 aircraft of various types to the western Pacific on 25 September in a move described by the PLAAF as a "routine drill on the high seas".

The aircraft flew through the Miyako Strait between the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyako in the East China Sea, prompting the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to scramble fighters, although no Chinese intrusion into Japanese airspace was recorded, according to the Ministry of Defense (MoD) in Tokyo.

The PLAAF formation consisted of fighters, heavy bombers, in-flight refuelling as well as airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. PLAAF spokesman Senior Colonel Shen Jinke stated that the aircraft were deployed to conduct "reconnaissance and early warning, [simulated] attacks on sea surface targets, and in-flight refuelling" to test the PLAAF's capabilities, according to Xinhua news agency.

It is not the first time the PLAAF has deployed H-6 bombers beyond the First Island Chain, which is partly formed by the islands of Japan. Since March 2015 the Chinese air force has sent aircraft formations to the western Pacific on six occasions. However, while the recent exercise may have been routine, the number of aircraft involved was unusual.

Official media reports were specific that the force included Xian Aircraft Corporation (XAC) H-6K bombers and Sukhoi Su-30 fighters. Chinese TV reports showed footage of a Beriev/XAC KJ-2000 AEW&C aircraft and photographs released by the Japan MoD showed that the formation also included Tupolev Tu-154 and Shaanxi Y-8 electronic surveillance aircraft.

Although the H-6 bomber is a derivative of the Tupolev Tu-16 'Badger', which first flew in 1952, the H-6K is relatively new. Most significantly, this variant is designed as a carrier for air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs), both anti-ship and land attack. An air regiment with 18 or more H-6K, each with six underwing pylons for ALCMs, has the potential to deliver a saturation attack of more than 100 missiles.

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