In a recent series of military exercises conducted in the waters and airspace surrounding Taiwan, China showcased some of its latest strike aircraft, naval vessels, and missile systems. Among the most formidable assets displayed was an upgraded variant of a bomber that originally took to the skies during the early Cold War period.

Similar to the United States, which continues to utilize enhanced versions of the B-52 bomber from that era, China has effectively modernized its H-6 jet bomber, enabling it to remain operational well into the 21st century.

Chinese state media broadcast footage of these bombers launching missions intended to project power and intimidate Taiwan as part of the military drills. Labeled Joint-Sword 2024B by the Chinese armed forces, these exercises were characterized as a “stern warning” to those in Taiwan advocating for independence.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported that within a 25-hour timeframe following the commencement of the exercises on October 14, 153 Chinese military aircraft, 14 naval vessels, and 12 additional ships were monitored in proximity to the island. The ministry noted that 111 of these aircraft had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Taiwan’s defense ministry informed Reuters that it had detected “three groups of three H-6 aircraft” operating within the island’s airspace during China’s military exercises. According to the ministry, two of these groups engaged in “simulated attack drills.”

China’s defense ministry did not provide a response to inquiries regarding this situation.

Defense analysts and Pentagon reports indicate that some modernized variants of China’s H-6 bomber are capable of launching ballistic missiles equipped with nuclear warheads, while others can carry a range of long-range anti-ship and land-attack missiles. Certain models are also capable of in-flight refueling, enabling them to operate from the Chinese mainland and target locations deep within the Western Pacific, where significant U.S. military installations are located, such as those in Guam.

In response to the military exercises, Taiwan’s defense ministry stated that the island is employing “joint intelligence surveillance to monitor the movements of the communist military around Taiwan,” and is also deploying “air, sea, and missile forces to respond appropriately to ensure national defense and security.”

Major Pete Nguyen, a spokesperson for the Pentagon, emphasized that the U.S. is “prepared to respond to any threat and protect the homeland.” He noted that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has frequently expressed that he does not view conflict with the People’s Republic of China as imminent or inevitable.

Beijing asserts that Taiwan is an integral part of China and has not dismissed the possibility of using military force to assert control over the island. The leaders of Taiwan, which operates under a democratic system, firmly reject these claims of sovereignty.

As tensions with the United States remain elevated, particularly with Donald Trump resuming his presidency, China’s military capabilities are under scrutiny. This week, China showcased its J-35A stealth fighter at the Zhuhai air show, highlighting its expanding military strength.

SIGNIFICANT CONCERN

In contrast to the United States, which ceased production of the B-52 in 1962, China has continued to manufacture the twin-engine H-6 at a facility in central China. However, Thomas Shugart, a former U.S. Navy submarine officer and military expert on China, suggests that production of the H-6 may have recently slowed or been suspended. He estimates that the Chinese air force currently operates approximately 230 of these bombers.

The H-6 is based on the Tupolev Tu-16 bomber, which the Soviet Union first introduced in the early 1950s and was designated with the NATO code name Badger. China began licensed production of these aircraft in the late 1950s, according to military analysts familiar with the People’s Liberation Army.

In recent years, both the Taiwanese and Japanese militaries have reported frequent deployments of H-6 bombers near their airspace. These bombers are also utilized for missions over the South China Sea, where Beijing asserts its claims over vast areas of contested territory.

Military experts from the U.S. and Taiwan have indicated that in a conflict scenario, these bombers would represent a significant danger to naval vessels and land-based targets. Shugart noted that Chinese military strategy for conducting island landing operations, such as a potential invasion of Taiwan, includes targeting command centers, communication hubs, logistics facilities, and other critical installations, in addition to launching assaults on airfields, ports, and maritime assets. “I anticipate that H-6 bombers will play a role in all these operations,” he remarked.

These offensive actions would likely be synchronized with missile strikes, potentially executed without prior notice, aimed at degrading air defenses and damaging runways to immobilize aircraft on the ground, Shugart elaborated. He mentioned that these aircraft could subsequently be targeted by cruise missiles fired from H-6 bombers.

In mid-September, Chinese state media offered a glimpse into the potential function of the H-6 in a confrontation near the Chinese coastline. State broadcaster CCTV aired footage of one of these bombers participating in a drill alongside fighter jets and a long-range WZ-7 surveillance drone. The drone was shown breaching the air defenses of a hypothetical enemy, identifying a target, and transmitting this information to the H-6, which was then depicted launching an anti-ship missile.

Experts recommend that the U.S. focus on neutralizing H-6 bombers while they remain on the ground. David Deptula, dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies in Washington and a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General, stated, “Any sensible military strategy would prioritize targeting these aircraft before they are airborne.”

During his testimony in March to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Shugart noted that China’s H-6 fleet has grown and that these bombers now feature enhanced airframes, advanced technology, improved engines, and long-range weaponry.

China is increasingly utilizing the H-6 for missions off its coast, mirroring the U.S. Air Force’s use of long-range B-52 patrols to demonstrate its capability to strike distant targets.

On July 24, American and Canadian fighter jets were deployed to intercept a joint mission involving two Chinese H-6 bombers and two Russian Tu-95 bombers near Alaska, as reported by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

Chinese bombers conducted operations near the U.S. mainland for the first time, coinciding with regular patrols by Russian forces in the region. This development highlights the increasing strength and assertiveness of China’s military, as noted by former U.S. Air Force officials.

According to Pentagon spokesperson Nguyen, these flights were not perceived as a threat. NORAD remains vigilant, monitoring competitor activities in North America and ensuring a presence in the area. The defense ministries of China and Russia did not provide comments when approached.

During a press conference, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang from China’s Ministry of National Defense stated that the joint patrol aimed to enhance coordination between the Chinese and Russian air forces. He emphasized that the operation was not directed against any third party.