Wed Nov 13 06:44:26 UTC 2024: ## China Flexes Military Muscle with Modernized H-6 Bombers in Taiwan Drills

**HONG KONG (The Hindu)** – In a series of aggressive war games around Taiwan in October 2024, China showcased its modernized military capabilities, including updated versions of the H-6 bomber, a Cold War-era aircraft.

These bombers, capable of launching nuclear-armed ballistic missiles and long-range anti-ship and land attack missiles, were deployed in drills designed to intimidate Taiwan and send a “stern warning” to those seeking independence, according to Chinese military officials.

The exercises involved 153 Chinese military aircraft, 14 naval vessels, and 12 other ships, with 111 aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entering Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

While China’s defense ministry remained silent, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense stated they are tracking the communist military’s movements around the island and deploying appropriate air, sea, and missile forces in response.

The U.S., while affirming its commitment to protecting the homeland, maintains that conflict with China is not imminent or inevitable.

This demonstration of China’s military prowess comes amid heightened tensions with the US, particularly with Donald Trump’s return to office. Experts highlight the significant threat posed by the H-6, which, according to military doctrine, would be used to target key infrastructure and communications facilities in any potential conflict.

While China continues to produce the H-6, production may be slowing or halting. Experts believe the Chinese air force now possesses around 230 of these bombers.

The H-6’s capabilities extend beyond Taiwan. In July, two Chinese H-6 bombers joined Russian Tu-95 bombers in a joint patrol near Alaska, marking the first time Chinese bombers had flown close to the US mainland in an operation highlighting China’s growing military confidence.

The incident highlighted China’s increasingly assertive military posture and its willingness to challenge the US in the Pacific region. This event, along with the recent Taiwan drills, underscores the growing tensions between China and the US and their potential impact on regional stability.

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