Beijing has told warplane pilots and crew to be “combat ready all the time” as a squadron of jets blasted over the disputed South China Sea. Xian H-6Ks – which can be armed with nuclear bombers – flew over the region on Thursday as the superpower continues to clash with the US.China’s military boasted the flyover showed they could breach the so-called “First Island Chain”. This is the frontier Chinese commanders believe they need to beach to successfully wage war against the US. US warships – the
aircraft carriers USS Ronald Reagan, USS Nimitz and USS Theodore Roosevelt – are currently on exercise in the region. Chinese officials did not confirm how many planes were involved in the drill – but noted the craft were H-6Ks.The planes can fly at speeds of up to 656mph, are capable of carrying nuclear bombs and are specifically designed to fight warships. READ MORE
