The H-6J bomber, carrying YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, was deployed in a joint naval-air training exercise conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command in the territorial sea and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas on Aug 1.
In July 2020, the H-6J made its public debut during day-and-night high-intensity training in the relevant waters of the South China Sea organized by the naval air force of the Southern Theater Command.
The H-6J was developed based on the H-6K to meet the requirements of maritime operations. The H-6J is fitted with a long-range surface search radar and an electro-optical turret under its nose, with dedicated hardpoints for electronic reconnaissance pods added at both wingtips, substantially enhancing its self-protection and situational awareness capabilities in complex electromagnetic environments.
In this time's drill, the bomber formation conducted assaults on maritime targets, while the vessels formed an air defense formation to carry out anti-aircraft interception operations, verifying core combat capabilities including aerial fire strike and joint air defense by destroyers and frigates.
Zhang Xuefeng, a military commentator, said in an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) that the H-6J participated in at least three of the four core training subjects during last Saturday's drill.
"The first subject is reconnaissance and early warning. The H-6J, via its onboard sensors, conducts reconnaissance on adversary targets, a capability that not only meets its own weapon launch requirements, but also delivers additional data support to the joint combat system. The second subject is deterrence patrol, where the H-6J serves as the absolute core asset in deterrence patrol operations, a clear demonstration of China's unwavering resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The third subject is joint strike, in which the H-6J, leveraging its large onboard anti-ship missiles, is capable of launching assaults against maritime targets," said Zhang.
Zhang noted that, judging from the appearance, the four missiles mounted under the wings of the H-6J bomber could be YJ-12 anti-ship missiles.
"The YJ-12 anti-ship missile boasts three core capabilities. First, exceptional penetration performance with a high velocity of no less than Mach 3.5. Second, an ultra-long operational range of at least 400 to 500 kilometers, which enables its launch platform to conduct strikes well outside the effective range of the adversary's air defense systems. Third, its formidable destructive power, as a single direct hit can effectively disable large enemy surface warships, earning it the reputation of 'carrier killer'," said Zhang.
China's H-6J bomber carrying YJ-12 missiles deployed in PLA drill at Huangyan Dao
