Satellite imagery shows China landed two of its most advanced 
H-6 bombers in the disputed Paracel islands in the South China Sea in May.
The deployment marks the first time the long-range H-6 bombers have landed on Woody Island in the Paracels since 2020.
“China's long-range bombers don't need to be on the Paracels so it does appear to be omni-directional signalling by Beijing — against the Philippines and against the US and other things that are going on.”
Images from Maxar Technologies show two H-6 bombers on a runway on Woody Island on May 19.
Another Maxar image on the same date show two Y-20 transport aircraft and an KJ-500 early warning plane — an aircraft that is seen as vital to China being able to control and secure increasingly complex air and sea operations.
The planes may have first arrived on May 17 and been present until May 23. It’s unlikely that the H-6s would be deployed long-term on Woody Island or be permanently based there.
“The ability to cycle forces through the bases, especially higher level assets like the H-6, provides the PLA with a force protection mechanism.”
China's Southern Theatre Command, which covers the South China Sea, maintains two regiments of the bombers.
H-6’s Cold War-era airframe has been modernized to carry anti-ship and land attack cruise missiles, while some of the planes are capable of launching nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.
Echoing the development of the US B-52, the basic H-6 dates back to 1950s Soviet designs but it remains China's most advanced long-range bomber having been re-fitted with improved engines and modern flight systems along with its state-of-the-art weaponry.
reuters.com/business/aeros
H-6 bombers in the disputed Paracel islands in the South China Sea in May.
The deployment marks the first time the long-range H-6 bombers have landed on Woody Island in the Paracels since 2020.
“China's long-range bombers don't need to be on the Paracels so it does appear to be omni-directional signalling by Beijing — against the Philippines and against the US and other things that are going on.”
Images from Maxar Technologies show two H-6 bombers on a runway on Woody Island on May 19.
Another Maxar image on the same date show two Y-20 transport aircraft and an KJ-500 early warning plane — an aircraft that is seen as vital to China being able to control and secure increasingly complex air and sea operations.
The planes may have first arrived on May 17 and been present until May 23. It’s unlikely that the H-6s would be deployed long-term on Woody Island or be permanently based there.
“The ability to cycle forces through the bases, especially higher level assets like the H-6, provides the PLA with a force protection mechanism.”
China's Southern Theatre Command, which covers the South China Sea, maintains two regiments of the bombers.
H-6’s Cold War-era airframe has been modernized to carry anti-ship and land attack cruise missiles, while some of the planes are capable of launching nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.
Echoing the development of the US B-52, the basic H-6 dates back to 1950s Soviet designs but it remains China's most advanced long-range bomber having been re-fitted with improved engines and modern flight systems along with its state-of-the-art weaponry.
reuters.com/business/aeros