Why did a Chinese bomber carry a nuclear-capable missile in an anti-ship exercise?
The People’s Liberation Army has unveiled the first official footage showing a nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile, the Jing Lei-1, mounted on an H-6N bomber in combat-ready status during a joint anti-ship exercise. The strategic bomber was seen in flight, carrying a massive missile under its belly, in the final episode of the documentary Securing Victory, which has been airing on…
China unveiled footage of a nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile, the Jing Lei-1, mounted on an H-6N bomber during a joint anti-ship exercise, according to a documentary airing on state broadcaster CCTV. The missile, referred to as the JL-1, is believed to have a range exceeding 5,000km and is considered the final piece of China's nuclear triad, providing bombers with long-range air-based deterrence capabilities.
The deployment of the JL-1 was part of a PLA Southern Theatre Command drill aimed at practising anti-ship joint operations. Military analyst Fu Qianshao stated that the JL-1 was designed to attack strategically important targets like regional hubs, bases, and headquarters. During the exercise, the missile simulated a scenario where a large surface fleet rapidly maneuvered towards the enemy, prompting the launch of anti-ship missiles and the deployment of various other missiles and aircraft.
The presence of the JL-1 on the H-6N bomber, along with the participation of J-20 stealth fighters, marked the first official confirmation of the missile being loaded onto a bomber.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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