Military Situation Update: "J-20" + "H-6N" Combination Effectively Deters Opponents

Recently, the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army of China organized a multi-service, all-element joint exercise in the air and sea around Huangyan Island, its territorial waters, and airspace. During the exercise, a bomber formation conducted a set of integrated air and sea combat actions in the airspace over Huangyan Island, fully demonstrating its capabilities. The upgraded H-6 family has frequently appeared in joint strategic patrols, island encirclement operations, and high-seas training exercises.

In a recent joint exercise in the South China Sea, two J-20s provided cover for an H-6N during its operations. What advantages does this combination bring?

Military commentator Zhang Xuefeng: The H-6N, as a strategic bomber, has a maximum range of over ten thousand kilometers. Clearly, it needs to fly frequently; it is not a "homebody" and must often conduct strategic patrols in distant seas. In this process, we typically cross what is known as the "first island chain." However, some countries have deployed air defense missiles and air force bases along the first island chain, and their aircraft and missiles may pose interception threats to us during peacetime, with even more severe threats during wartime. In this situation, we certainly need to dispatch advanced fighter jets to escort the H-6N in the air. The J-20 can play a significant role in this regard: first, it can serve as a "door-kicker," effectively suppressing and destroying some of the air defense missiles on the "first island chain"; second, it can effectively seize air superiority. If the adversary sends fighter jets to intercept, the J-20 can strike from a long distance, clearing the airspace for the H-6N, ensuring it can safely patrol the relevant airspace and launch missiles, effectively deterring the opponent.