Chinese H-6 Bomber Armed With YJ-12 Missiles Flies Over Scarborough Shoal During PLA Drills
A Chinese H-6 bomber armed with YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missiles conducted an overflight of Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday during a series of combat-readiness patrols involving frigates and J-16 fighter jets. Scarborough Shoal is a highly disputed feature in the South China Sea that Beijing claims as part of its territory.
According to the People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, the drills—held on China’s National Day—were intended to “reinforce patrols and vigilance, strengthen control and management of relevant areas, and counter unlawful infringements and provocations.”
The H-6 bomber was seen carrying the YJ-12, a long-range maritime strike missile capable of engaging targets up to 500 km away. The PLA Navy also deployed Type 054A frigates Chenzhou (552), Liuzhou (573) and Bayanner (551), along with at least two J-16 fighters. Video released by the command showed the ships sailing in formation and launching a Z-9 utility helicopter.
The PLA stated the operation was intended to “firmly safeguard China’s sovereignty and security while maintaining stability in the South China Sea.” Although the H-6’s design originates from the Cold War–era Tu-16, China has extensively modernized the platform. Current variants can carry air-launched ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons and other advanced munitions, enabling strikes across the first island chain and threatening U.S. and allied forces. The bombers have previously been deployed to China’s artificial island bases, placing all of the Philippines within range.
Chinese forces—operating from Hainan and infrastructure on several reclaimed outposts—routinely patrol around Scarborough Shoal alongside the China Coast Guard and Maritime Militia. Chinese cutters also conducted a patrol in the area on Wednesday. Previous encounters have included interceptions of Philippine reconnaissance aircraft and dangerous maneuvers against a Philippine Navy patrol vessel.
These latest deployments come amid a series of tense interactions around Scarborough, known in China as Huangyan Dao and in the Philippines as Bajo de Masinloc. The shoal sits just 120 nautical miles west of Luzon, inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, but falls within China’s expansive Ten-Dash Line claim.
Beijing has maintained an almost continuous presence at the shoal since a 2012 standoff. Tensions escalated further in August when the PLA Navy destroyer Guilin (164) collided with the China Coast Guard cutter 3104. Manila, meanwhile, has escorted fishing fleets under its Kadiwa initiative, designed to protect local fishermen amid increasing pressure from Chinese forces. Last month, Chinese cutters intercepted multiple Philippine Coast Guard and fisheries vessels, with one aggressive interdiction resulting in the injury of a Filipino sailor.
