China's Nuclear Bombers Photographed in Flight

Chinese H-6N bombers, capable of conducting nuclear strikes, have been spotted flying in formation, photos circulating on social media show.

Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email.

Why It Matters

China is one of nine nations armed with nuclear weapons, possessing around 600 warheads, according to the Federation of American Scientists. The nation's nuclear arsenal is expected to grow to over 1,000 warheads by 2030.

The H-6N bomber forms the air component of the Chinese nuclear triad, which also includes land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and ballistic missile submarines. It took part in a China-Russia joint strategic aerial patrol over the Western Pacific Ocean last November.

What To Know

A Chinese H-6N bomber was spotted flying with an air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) over an undisclosed location in China, according to a photo posted on X, formerly Twitter, on April 5. However, the time stamp on the photo indicates it was taken on June 6, 2023.

On Saturday, a second but undated photo of H-6N bombers surfaced on X, which shows three aircraft flying in formation. Andreas Rupprecht, an expert on Chinese military aviation who uploaded the photos, suggested the Chinese bombers were practicing for a flypast.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The South China Morning Post, a Hong Kong-based English-language newspaper, previously reported that Beijing is expected to organize a "rare military parade" for the anniversary, citing diplomatic sources.

According to the Pentagon's assessment report on Chinese military power, the H-6N, which is China's first nuclear-capable air-to-air refuellable bomber, was publicly unveiled in 2019 during a military parade celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The bomber has a modified fuselage, which enables it to carry a potentially nuclear ALBM externally, the Pentagon added. The type has previously been observed carrying the same type of missile shown in the recent photo in 2020 and 2022, specialist outlet The Aviationist wrote.

Meanwhile, China is developing a new stealth strategic bomber, dubbed the H-20, to extend its power projection capability, the Pentagon's report noted. It is expected to be capable of launching both nuclear and conventional strikes, according to Chinese state media reports.

The U.S. currently operates two types of nuclear-capable bombers, the B-2 and the B-52H, which can carry nuclear cruise missiles and gravity bombs. America's next-generation stealth bomber, the B-21, is scheduled to replace the B-2 beginning in the late 2020s.

What People Are Saying

The Pentagon wrote in its Chinese military power report: "The H-6N's air-to-air refueling capability provides it greater reach over non-air refuellable H-6 variants. In 2020, the [People's Liberation Army Air Force] operationally fielded the H-6N bomber, providing a platform for the air component of the [People's Republic of China]'s nascent nuclear triad."

Specialist outlet The Aviationist wrote: "Reports of the H-6N carrying [the ALBM] highlight China's extensive and diverse arsenal of tactical and strategic ballistic and cruise missiles—launched from air, land, and sea platforms—supported by a broad array of conventional military systems."

What Happens Next

It remains to be seen whether China will hold a military parade to mark the end of World War II and reveal the long-awaited H-20 stealth bomber, which is expected to enhance its nuclear capabilities.