The Chinese and Russian militaries conducted their 10th joint strategic air patrol on Tuesday which involved bombers and fighter jets. A Chinese expert highlighted the enhanced pragmatic defense cooperation between the two countries, noting that the strategic patrol served to deter factors that undermines peace and stability amid 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
In accordance with the annual cooperation plan of the Chinese and Russian militaries, the two sides organized and conducted the 10th joint strategic air patrol in airspace over the East China Sea and the western Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced in a statement on Tuesday.
This is the 10th strategic air patrol organized by the two militaries since 2019, according to official information.
Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the China-Russia joint strategic air patrol reaching its 10th edition in just six years reflects a high level of pragmatic cooperation that is constantly advancing.
A video the Global Times obtained from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force shows that the Chinese side sent warplanes including the H-6K bomber, the J-11, Su-30 and J-16 fighter jets, as well as the KJ-500A early warning aircraft, while the Russian side sent the Tu-95 bomber.
Song said that bombers and fighter jets are a perfect combination for long-distance patrol missions. The role of the bombers is to conduct strategic deterrence, but since bombers lack self-defense capabilities, they need fighter jets as an escort.
While such joint patrols are not targeted at any third party or related to the current situation, it sends a clear strategic deterrent signal to anyone who seeks to undermine peace and stability, Song said. He noted that while this year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Japanese side has been making provocative moves, including making erroneous remarks on China’s Taiwan question.
China and Russia, as responsible major countries and victorious nations in World War II, have the common need to join hands and safeguard the post-war international order, Song said.
The joint patrol came at a time when China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier formation is holding far seas training in the Western Pacific.
Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe told the Global Times on Tuesday that in terms of timing, the far seas training of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation and the China-Russia joint strategic air patrol are coincidental. According to official announcements, the China-Russia joint strategic air patrol most likely flew over the Miyako Strait and relevant maritime and air spaces, where all countries enjoy the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law. Therefore, it is possible that the China-Russia air formation and the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation conduct simultaneous operations with each other by chance.
“When defense operations require it, the combat effectiveness of joint air-sea operations will be even more powerful. The air force’s strategic bombers, relying on their long-range strike capability and strong firepower, can closely cooperate with carrier-based aircraft and accompanying ships of the navy’s aircraft carrier formation. Joint operations between the two will form a powerful integrated air-sea firepower, enabling precise and intense counterattacks against enemy warships, aircraft, and key land targets, effectively safeguarding national sovereignty and security,” said Zhang.