The Russian airforce Tupolev TU-95MS and Chinese PLAAF Xian H-6K bombers have conducted a joint patrol over waters of Japan and the East China Sea said a Russian Defence Ministry statement. “On December 22, 2020, the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Air Force of the People’s Liberation Army of China conducted the second joint aerial patrol with long-range aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region,” the statement says.
Two strategic bombers Tupolev Tu-95MS from the Russian Air Force and four People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Xian H-6K strategic bombers participated in the joint patrol. This is the second joint patrol by the two countries. The first patrol took place on 23 July 2019.
“The aircraft operated strictly in accordance with the provisions of international law. There were no violations of the airspace of foreign states,” says the release.
The Russian MoD said that the joint patrols were carried out to develop the Russian-Chinese partnership, increase the level of interaction between the armed forces of the two countries, improve their capabilities to conduct joint actions, and strengthen global strategic stability. “The patrol was held as part of the provisions of the military cooperation plan for 2020 and is not directed against third countries”, adds the release.
The Xian H-6K is a modernised copy of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 twin-engine jet bomber.
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