Recently, Russian media has put forward a rather bold suggestion: the Russian military should purchase China's Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) aircraft, the KJ-600, saying that just four of them could instantly reverse the situation in the Russia-Ukraine war. This sounds quite intimidating, but upon closer inspection, it's not entirely a fantasy. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has been going on for more than two years, and the Russian military has indeed faced many setbacks on the battlefield. As an advanced carrier-based AEW&C aircraft, the KJ-600 has performance worth noting. This article will discuss the current difficulties of the Russian military, how powerful the KJ-600 really is, and what changes it could bring to the Russian military if it were actually purchased.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict started in February 2022 and has now become a protracted war. At first, the Russian military was aggressive, but Ukraine, supported by the West, held firm, and the battle turned into a stalemate. The Russian plan for a quick victory failed, and now they are facing many thorny issues:

The Russian military originally planned to dominate the enemy with its air force, but reality was harsh. Ukraine received air defense systems from NATO, such as "Patriot" and S-300 upgrades, and some F-16 fighters were gradually arriving. When the Russian Su-35 and Su-34 fighter bombers took off, they often suffered heavy losses from Ukrainian air defense fire. According to official Ukrainian data (although there may be some exaggeration), the Russian military has lost at least 300 planes and helicopters. It's difficult for the Russian military to completely control the skies.

War isn't just about having strong equipment; it's also about who can see more clearly. The Ukrainian military, relying on NATO's intelligence network, such as American reconnaissance satellites and AWACS aircraft, can know what the Russian military is doing in real time. Conversely, the Russian military's intelligence system appears to be lacking, often caught off guard by the Ukrainian military. For example, the Ukrainian military used the "Himars" rocket artillery to precisely strike Russian command posts and warehouses, and the Russians often didn't react in time.

The Russian military currently mainly uses the A-50 and A-50U early warning aircraft, totaling around 10 aircraft, and the number of operational ones is even fewer. These are old technologies from the 1980s, with radar detection ranges of over 400 kilometers, and they have little resistance against NATO's electronic interference. In 2023, the Ukrainian military even shot down an A-50 with drones, further worsening the Russian military's aerial command capabilities. Without early warning aircraft monitoring, the coordination between Russian fighter jets and ground forces becomes chaotic.

The Ukrainian military has obtained drones and long-range missiles, such as ATACMS and "Storm Shadow," which frequently attack Russian supply lines. Russian warehouses and railways in Donbas and Kherson are often destroyed, and the logistics pressure is huge. Without a stable supply of supplies, the combat effectiveness of frontline troops naturally declines significantly.

In summary, the Russian military is facing threats in the air, cannot see clearly, and is constantly being attacked from the rear. To turn things around, they need a reliable solution. Russian media has set its sights on China's KJ-600, calling it possibly a lifeline.

What is the level of the KJ-600 early warning aircraft

The KJ-600 is a carrier-based early warning aircraft developed independently by China, mainly for use on aircraft carriers. It follows a similar approach to the U.S. Navy's E-2D "Hawkeye," but its performance is no less impressive, and in some aspects, it is even stronger. Let's break it down one by one:

1. Radar is very powerful

The KJ-600 is equipped with dual-band radar operating in the S-band and UHF band, using gallium nitride materials, with a detection range said to exceed 650 kilometers. Compared to the U.S. E-2D, which is only about 500 kilometers, 650 kilometers is a significant distance. From the sky above Kyiv, it can directly see areas near Moscow. This radar can track hundreds of targets simultaneously, whether they are aircraft, missiles, or drones, none can escape detection.

2. Good at countering stealth

Stealth aircraft are flying everywhere these days, like the F-35, which ordinary radars can't detect. The KJ-600's radar combines mechanical scanning with electronic scanning, capable of dealing with low radar cross-section targets. If the Ukrainian military actually sends F-35s, the KJ-600 can detect them in advance, avoiding the Russian military from suffering silently.

3. Strong command capability

The KJ-600 is not only the "eye" that watches the sky but also an "airborne brain." It integrates battlefield information and commands the Russian military's fighter jets and air defense systems. For example, when the Su-35 intercepts enemy aircraft, the KJ-600 can directly tell it where to fly and how to fight, significantly improving efficiency. It's like giving the Russian military a real-time navigation system.

4. Flexible deployment

The KJ-600 is a carrier-based aircraft that can take off and land from an aircraft carrier, offering strong mobility. Although the Russian military doesn't have an aircraft carrier, it can take off from land-based runways, as its base is the Y-8, which has good adaptability. In critical moments, it can also fly close to the front line to monitor the Ukrainian military's every move.

5. High cost-effectiveness

In recent years, China's early warning aircraft have made rapid progress, from the KJ-200 to the KJ-500 and then the KJ-600, with mature technology. Compared to the E-2D, which costs hundreds of millions of dollars per unit, the KJ-600 is estimated to be much cheaper, making it less of a financial burden for the Russian military.

In summary, the performance of the KJ-600 fully meets the needs of modern warfare. Russian media believes that with it, the Russian military can turn the passive situation on the battlefield around.

What would buying 4 KJ-600 early warning aircraft bring to the Russian military

Russian media says that 4 KJ-600 early warning aircraft could "instantly reverse the situation," which sounds exaggerated, but not entirely without reason. Let's analyze what benefits the Russian military could get from buying the KJ-600 and what problems they might encounter.

With 4 KJ-600 early warning aircraft taking turns on duty, they can cover most of the airspace over the Russia-Ukraine front line. With a detection range of 650 kilometers, the Russian military can detect Ukrainian aircraft, missiles, and even drones in advance. With this lead time, the Russian military can deploy air defense networks or send fighter jets to intercept in advance, avoiding constant attacks.

Currently, the Russian military's air and ground forces often "fight separately," with poor coordination. With the KJ-600, all units can be connected. For example, if the front line detects a group of Ukrainian drones, the KJ-600 can directly instruct the S-400 or "铠甲" air defense system to open fire, reducing response time by several times. Fighter jet operations can also avoid unnecessary detours, saving fuel and effort.

Currently, Russian fighter jets face the biggest problem of flying without early warning aircraft support, often being ambushed by the Ukrainian military. With the KJ-600, the Russian Su-35 and Su-57 can know in advance where the threats are and avoid the Ukrainian air defense fire. Conversely, if the Ukrainian military's F-16 or drones try to sneak in, they will have to think twice.

The KJ-600 monitors the sky, making it harder for the Ukrainian military's drones and long-range missiles to succeed. The Russian military can adjust the layout of supply lines based on early warning information and even send troops to actively intercept. If supply lines are protected, the front-line ammunition and fuel won't run out, and combat effectiveness will naturally improve.

Having 4 KJ-600 early warning aircraft on display is not only practical but also gives the Ukrainian military and NATO a psychological pressure. Knowing that the Russian military can see far and respond quickly, the Ukrainian military will have to think twice before launching sudden attacks. Strategically, this also serves as a form of deterrence.

However, there are also many problems:

Although the idea sounds great, in reality, buying the KJ-600 would require overcoming several hurdles:

How to handle the technology? High-end equipment like early warning aircraft is unlikely to be easily provided. Whether China is willing to sell the entire aircraft or even transfer technology is still a question. If the Russian military can only buy finished products, they won't be able to maintain them themselves, which will cause trouble during wartime.

Time is not enough. The KJ-600 is still in testing, and it's expected to enter mass production after 2024. The Russia-Ukraine conflict is in full swing, and the Russian military can't afford to wait. By the time the delivery is completed, it will be too late.

What if China refuses to sell? China has always maintained a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine issue, and selling weapons to warring parties does not conform to diplomatic principles. If the Russian military wants to buy, they may have to wait until the conflict ends, and at that point, it's uncertain whether they still need it.

Why did Russian media target the KJ-600

Why did Russian media focus so much on the KJ-600? Actually, it's not hard to understand. The Russian military's own early warning aircraft development is lagging behind, and the A-100 project has been delayed for years without results. NATO's early warning aircraft are definitely unattainable, leaving China as the only option. China and Russia have had a strong relationship in recent years, with frequent military cooperation, such as joint exercises. The KJ-600 has excellent performance and reasonable pricing, making it an attractive choice for the Russian military.

Moreover, the statements made by Russian media aren't entirely aimed at the domestic audience. Proposing the idea of "reversing the situation with 4 aircraft" has some pressure on the West: you support Ukraine, we also have our allies, let's see who can last longer. Such public opinion warfare is common in conflicts.

Russian media is urging the Russian military to purchase the KJ-600, talking loudly, but this matter is not simple to implement. The Russian military is indeed in a tough position in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the lack of early warning aircraft is a real problem. The KJ-600 has no flaws in performance, and if it can actually be purchased, the Russian military's combat effectiveness will certainly take a big step forward. However, technical, political, and time-related obstacles are not easy to overcome.

China-Russia cooperation has been deepening in recent years, and it's uncertain whether there will be further developments in military equipment in the future. Whether the KJ-600 can truly fly over Russian airspace to help the Russian military turn the tide remains to be seen. But to be honest, can a war be reversed by just a few aircraft? That would be too simplistic to understand the complexity of war.

References

Guo Zhenyu, Tao Yului. The KJ-600 Carrier-Based Early Warning Aircraft[J]. Science Popularization (Primary School Edition), 2024, (10): 26-27.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7523145205999059456/

Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author and welcomes your opinions through the [Up/Down] buttons below.