Tokyo, Japan – Chinese and Russian bombers flew an unusual route toward Tokyo on Tuesday. The joint flight, from the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean, was likely intended to intimidate Japan. This unprecedented operation put the Japanese government on high alert.
A joint show of force with nuclear-capable aircraft
Multiple government sources have confirmed that the Chinese aircraft involved were H-6K strategic bombers. These aircraft are capable of carrying nuclear cruise missiles. Reports indicate that the H-6K can launch the CJ-20 air-to-surface cruise missile, which has a maximum range of over 1,500 kilometers. This raises the possibility that China, in coordination with Russia, may have been attempting to send a direct message of threat.
Two Chinese H-6K bombers and two Russian Tu-95 bombers participated, along with other fighter aircraft.
The planes flew between Okinawa Island and Miyakojima Island before heading northeast towards the waters off the Shikoku region, then turned back.
Tokyo and Yokosuka are in the likely bombing path
Sources indicated that had the bombers continued northward toward Tokyo, vital Japanese and American bases would have been in their path, including the Yokosuka Maritime Self-Defense Force base and the U.S. Navy base in Yokosuka.
Self-Defense Force officials noted that Chinese bombers had previously flown routes toward Tokyo in 2017. But this is the first time that Chinese and Russian bombers have made a joint flight on this route.
The bombers’ flight path also overlapped with that of the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning on December 6. At that time, its military aircraft directed their radar towards the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force aircraft.
A senior official in Japan’s Self-Defense Forces analyzed that the recent flight “was most likely intended to demonstrate the capability to attack Tokyo.” This may be the latest Chinese reaction to Prime Minister Sana Takaichi’s statement in parliament regarding the possibility of taking emergency measures against Taiwan.
