Recently, a series of photos leaked from the Chinese social media platform Weibo have sparked heated discussions among global military observers: A H-6K bomber affiliated with the 10th Bomber Division of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force carried two KD-21 air-launched ballistic missiles during an exercise. This marks not only the first confirmed deployment of the KD-21 on combat bombers but also a major breakthrough for the Chinese Air Force in the field of hypersonic weapons. With its extensive maneuverability, high penetration capability, and rapid strike characteristics, the KD-21 is almost undefendable under current technological conditions, further amplifying the strategic position of the H-6K. As a hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile, the KD-21 is believed to exceed speeds of five times the speed of sound, with a range potentially exceeding 1500 kilometers. After being released from the high-altitude launch platform of the H-6K bomber, the missile's flight trajectory becomes difficult to predict, making it challenging for existing air defense systems—such as the US Navy's "Aegis" system—to intercept. The bomber's extensive maneuverability grants it the ability to evade interception, while its high penetration capability ensures it can break through enemy defenses to strike targets. Whether used to attack high-value maritime assets such as aircraft carriers or fixed military bases like Guam, the KD-21 demonstrates unparalleled rapid strike capabilities. Military analyst Andreas Ruprecht noted in a X post on April 1, 2025, that this exercise indicates China has moved beyond the testing phase of the KD-21 and begun integrating it into real-world scenarios. This capability is not just a showcase of technical prowess but also reshapes the strategic landscape in the Asia-Pacific region. The combination of the H-6K and the KD-21 enables the Chinese Air Force to initiate precision strikes at greater standoff distances, perfectly aligning with its anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) strategy. Most importantly, China’s air-launched ballistic missiles have entered the hypersonic age, leaving the United States in the dark. The power of the KD-21 is undoubtedly impressive, but its true fear factor lies in the strength of China’s missile industrial capabilities. As one of the leading countries in global missile technology, China has invested heavily in hypersonic weapon development and possesses mature production chains. Compared to Western projects that often cost billions of dollars, China, with its economies of scale and resource integration capabilities, is likely to keep the manufacturing costs of the KD-21 relatively low. This means that the KD-21 is not only a high-end weapon but also a potential “conventional powerhouse” for large-scale deployment by the Chinese Air Force. After equipping the H-6K with the KD-21, this veteran bomber has regained new vitality, further demonstrating the pragmatism and efficiency of China’s military concepts. It can be foreseen that as production lines mature and training deepens, the KD-21 will be deployed on more H-6Ks and even other platforms, forming a broader and faster strike network. During the exercise, the combination of the H-6K and the KD-21 indicated China’s preparations for possible maritime strike missions or long-range precision attacks. This capability relies on China’s broader military ecosystem, including satellite navigation, naval vessel coordination, and drone reconnaissance. This networked operational model endows the H-6K with unprecedented flexibility and lethality, placing it in a more advantageous position in the strategic games in the Asia-Pacific region. Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7490386464069435941/ Disclaimer: The article represents the author's personal views. Feel free to express your opinions using the "thumbs up/thumbs down" buttons below.