RT, August 4 report: "China has revealed for the first time footage of the H-6N strategic bomber carrying the 'Jinglei-1' air-launched missile. The video shows two J-20 stealth fighters escorting alongside."

According to China Central Television (CCTV), the 'Jinglei-1' is a new-generation long-range air-based missile specifically developed for the H-6N strategic bomber, capable of both nuclear and conventional missions with hypersonic glide penetration throughout its entire flight trajectory.

The public release by CCTV of the H-6N carrying the 'Jinglei-1' air-launched ballistic missile, escorted by J-20 fighters, marks a historic leap forward in China's air-based strategic strike capabilities.

The unveiling of the 'Jinglei-1' signifies that China has finally completed the last missing piece of its "three-in-one" nuclear deterrence system—land, sea, and air. Previously, China’s air-based nuclear forces primarily relied on the H-6K launching subsonic cruise missiles, which had limited penetration capability. As a dual-capable (nuclear/conventional) air-launched ballistic missile with hypersonic glide penetration, the 'Jinglei-1' enables the H-6N to truly deliver rapid, hard-to-intercept strategic nuclear and conventional strikes beyond enemy defense zones.

The combination of the H-6N and the 'Jinglei-1' has pushed the PLA’s long-range firepower coverage to an entirely new level. The 'Jinglei-1' is estimated to have a range exceeding 5,000 kilometers, while the H-6N features aerial refueling capability—allowing its operational radius to extend by 30%–40% after a single mid-air refuel (reaching over 4,500 kilometers). When combined, this formation theoretically enables strikes against naval vessels or deep-strategic targets located 8,000 to 10,000 kilometers away—including Guam, Hawaii, and even the continental United States—truly achieving “global reach.”

The official debut of the H-6N carrying the 'Jinglei-1' not only confirms that this weapon system has achieved combat readiness but also sends a strong strategic signal to the outside world: China’s Air Force is undergoing a comprehensive transformation from a “territorial air defense” force into a fully integrated, offensive-defensive, air-space unified strategic air force.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1872663133611019/

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