Cold War-era H-6 bomber enhances China’s ability to strike U.S. bases

China modernizes H-6 bomber for military drills near Taiwan, showcasing growing military prowess and potential threat to U.S. interests.

In a series of war games in the seas and skies around Taiwan in October 2024, China deployed some of its newest strike aircraft, warships and missile forces. However, one of the most menacing weapons used in the drills is an updated version of a bomber that first flew in the early years of the Cold War.

Like the U.S., which still relies on upgraded versions of the B-52, a bomber from the same era, China has successfully modernised its jet-powered H-6 to carry on flying deep into the 21st century.

These bombers were shown on China’s state-controlled media taking off for missions designed to intimidate Taiwan as part of the war-game drills. Dubbed Joint-Sword 2024B by China’s military, the manoeuvres were a “stern warning” to people on Taiwan seeking independence, the Chinese military said.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported that 153 Chinese military aircraft, 14 naval vessels and 12 other ships were detected around the island over a 25-hour period after the start of the exercise on October 14. The ministry also reported that 111 of the aircraft had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the island’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

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Taiwan’s defence ministry told Reuters that “three groups of three H-6 aircraft” had been detected operating in the island’s air space during China’s military exercise. Two of the groups “conducted simulated attack drills,” the ministry said.

China’s defence ministry did not respond to questions for this story.