The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has carried out operations around Taiwan, as announced by the Eastern Theater Command.Justice Mission-2025During an exercise, a long-range missile armed with an air-launched cruise missileH-6Images of the bomber were released on Monday.
The aircraft seen in the official images carries two air-to-ground missiles, which open source analysts have identified as the YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missile developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASIC).
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According to public documents, the bomber squadron conducted long-range maritime attack training, focusing on long-range deployments, joint attack operations, and joint precision strikes.
The PLA said the exercise was aimed at evaluating the ability to integrate air, naval, ground and missile forces and conduct operations beyond the first island chain. Eastern Theater Command says these activities are intended for blockade scenarios and coordinated long-range strikes.
The YJ-12 is a high-speed missile designed to penetrate modern naval air defense systems. Academic literature and military analysis suggest a range of approximately 250 to 400 kilometers (250 to 400 kilometers), depending on the launch profile, and speeds of approximately Mach 2 for low-altitude, sea-skimming flights, and speeds of Mach 3 or higher when launched from high altitudes. Opinions differ on the weight of the warhead, with estimates ranging from about 200 kilograms to a maximum of 500 kilograms, and the high kinetic energy in the terminal stage is also considered to be a contributing factor to its destructive power.
Comparisons based on international research indicate that the YJ-12’s range could exceed that of Western anti-ship missiles such as the Harpoon, and that, depending on operational conditions, it could be fired from beyond the engagement range of naval air defense systems such as the SM-2 and RIM-162 ESSM.
The H-6 bomber is a platform that has been in service with the PLA Air Force and Naval Air Forces for decades, and has undergone gradual upgrades to use modern standoff attack weapons. If equipped with an air-launched anti-ship missile, it would be launched from mainland China and used for long-range maritime strike missions.
The Justice Mission-2025 exercise is still ongoing, and according to the Chinese side, it is being conducted as a joint operation involving all branches of the Chinese military around Taiwan.
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Source and image: Defence Blog | Telegram @china3army. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
