A PLAAF H-6N bomber during a military parade in Beijing in 2019. According to the US DoD's China Military Power Report, the H-6N is likely involved with the nuclear delivery mission. (CGTN)
The US Department of Defense (DoD) released its annual China Military Power Report to Congress about Chinese military power on 18 December, including a warning about China's aerial technology capabilities. Chinese leadership is working to accelerate the acquisition of such capabilities with the intention of defeating a strong opponent, countering intervention by a third party, and projecting power globally, according to the report.
Although China has not reached the US' level of technology, the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is inducting and modernising stealth fighters, bombers, support aircraft, and unmanned aircraft systems (UASs).
The report notes, for example, that fourth-generation fighters now make up at least 1,300 of the PLAAF's 1,900 total fighter fleet, and the rest mostly comprise older third-generation fighters that are being phased out. Fourth-generation fighters, although designed decades ago, can carry modern radars and ordnance (including the PL-17 very-long-range air-to-air missile).
The PLAAF is also inducting and upgrading fifth-generation fighters, notably the J-20.
“The PLAAF is preparing upgrades for the J-20, which may include increasing the number of [air-to-air missiles] the fighter can carry in its low-observable configuration, installing thrust-vectoring engine nozzles, and adding super cruise capability by installing higher-thrust indigenous WS-15 engines,” the report said.
China is also diversifying its bomber fleet. In 2023 the PLAAF absorbed the People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN's) bomber fleet, adding to the service's anti-ship role. The report also noted the development of the H-6N bomber, revealed in 2019, which can carry air-launched ballistic missiles, likely with nuclear warheads.
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