China deployed Russian-supplied Su-30MK2 fighter jets alongside H-6L bombers over the disputed Huangyan Island in the South China Sea, signaling a fresh show of force near U.S. allies as tensions rise globally. Beijing said the patrol demonstrated effective control over contested waters and airspace around the strategically sensitive region. The Su-30s carried R-77 air-to-air missiles and YJ-91 anti-ship missiles, while the bombers were equipped with long-range YJ-12 cruise missiles. Analysts say the patrol highlights China’s continued maritime strike capability even as Beijing transitions toward newer aircraft like the J-16, J-35 and future sixth-generation fighter programs expected to emerge in the 2030s.
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