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).
Full article: Chinese bomber exercise affirms air-defence identification zone, penetrates Second Island Chain (IHS Jane’s 360)
Note: The full article requires a paid subscription for viewing. Global Geopolitics benefits in no way.
Global Geopolitics 