The H-6 is a considerable firepower
deploying a wide range of standoff
cruise missiles, can potentially provide
the PLA with a major advantage in the
event of future clash in the Ladakh
region. Particularly given the scarcity
of air bases on both sides meaning the
ability to strike indian bases at long
ranges could be enough to turn the
balance in the air and provide the pla
with air superiority.
Most notably the new CJ-20 cruise missile
carries a 500 kilograms warhead and has
a 2000 kilometers range. While its
lighter counterpart the YJ-63 has
one-tenth of the range but is
considerably lighter meaning more can be
carried by a single bomber. Their very high precision and
maneuverability make them a very serious
threat to indian positions.
China's H-6 fleet today is primarily
oriented towards engaging ships and
military bases in the western pacific
region with a number of bombers also
having been converted for an electronic
attack role. Tensions with india however reveal that
the aircraft still have a role to play
in a conventional land attack role. Indian for its part was reportedly
considering acquiring modern bombers
from russia, namely the 222M to serve as
a maritime strike platform.
The russian airframe design is more
modern and has a superior flight
performance to the H-6. Although it is
considerably more expensive to operate
in, depending on the variant does not
have an advantage in terms of sensors or
avionics.
India currently deploys K-100 air-to-air
missiles from its Su-30MKI heavyweight fighters which have
a formidable range estimated at 300-400
kilometers with the missiles
well-optimized to engaging subsonic
bombers.
The indian defense ministry has also
ordered S-400 missile batteries which
will be deployed to the Ladakh region
when they are received from russia, with
the platforms highly capable at
intercepting cruise missile attacks as
well as bombers at long ranges. Although china currently holds an
advantage in terms of aerial warfare and
strike capabilities in the region with
india lacking an effective counter to
the PLA's deployment of J-16 heavyweight
fighters near the indian border.
This
could change as india moves to invest in
more capable systems such as the S-400
and considers purchases of Mig-35 and Su-57 fighters to further modernize its
combat fleet. India and russia are also jointly
developing a longer-ranged and faster
air-launched missile to replace the K-100 which will be able to pose a
greater threat to chinese bombers at
range in future.
