PLA Chinese Air Force J-16 fighter jets deployed in joint strategic patrol with Russian Air Force.

In the first such move, China's state broadcaster revealed on May 29 that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force deployed fighter jets as escorts for Chinese and Russian bombers during last week's regular joint aerial strategic patrol in the Asia-Pacific region by the two major powers, with experts saying more advanced fighter jets like China's J-20 and Russia's Su-57 could join the patrol next time. Guo Yuandan and Liu Xuanzun report in Global Times.

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Two Chinese J-16 fighter jets conduct an escort mission for a Chinese H-6K bomber and a Russian Tu-95MS bomber during a regular China-Russia joint strategic patrol above the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea and the West Pacific on May 24, 2022. (Picture source: screenshot from China Central Television)

For the first time, China's J-16 fighter jets were seen participating in a China-Russia joint patrol, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on May 29, showing a photo depicting two J-16s flying next to a Chinese H-6K bomber and a Russian Tu-95MS bomber. The joint patrol the CCTV report referred to was held by the two countries' air forces above the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea and the West Pacific on Tuesday. It marked the fourth joint patrol of its kind since 2019, with the goal of examining and enhancing the interoperability of the Chinese and Russian air forces, and boosting strategic mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation between the two countries' militaries, said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of National Defense, on May 25.

According to the photo, each J-16 carried two PL-10 close-range combat missiles. The J-16 can also carry long-range air-to-air missiles. This fighter jet is characterized by its long range, twin engines, twin seats, a large fuel capacity and in-flight refueling capability, making it very suitable for long-range escort missions.

With the development of military technologies, more advanced equipment like China's J-20 stealth fighter jet and Russia's Su-57 stealth fighter jet could participate in the next joint patrol, Guo Yuandan and Liu Xuanzun report in Global Times