Chinese bomber exercise affirms air-defence identification zone, penetrates Second Island Chain
Richard D Fisher Jr, Washington, DC - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
30 November 2015
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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