China Conducts 10-Hour Non-Stop Training Flight with Su-30 Fighter Jets over the South China Sea

10-Hour Combat Patrol Flight of Fighter Jets via Aerial Refueling
Demonstrating Flight Combat Capability Across the South China Sea Region

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The Chinese Air Force, which is in conflict with the United States over sovereignty in the South China Sea, demonstrated its military power by conducting a 10-hour nonstop fighter jet flight training.

China's state-run Global Times reported on the 5th (local time) that a Su-30 fighter jet belonging to the People's Liberation Army Air Force flew nonstop for 10 hours over the South China Sea. The newspaper added that the previous longest nonstop flight by the Chinese Air Force was 8 hours and 50 minutes. This appears to showcase the Chinese Air Force's long-range operational capabilities, including aerial refueling.

The Global Times analyzed that the 10-hour nonstop flight has strategic and technical value, enabling the Chinese Air Force to conduct operations throughout the entire South China Sea.

The newspaper quoted a Chinese aviation expert saying, "It is difficult to conduct long-range operations with the fighter jet's fuel tank capacity alone," and evaluated that "performing a 10-hour operational mission through aerial refueling is a challenging task for fighter jets."

Additionally, the Global Times emphasized, "While large bombers such as the H-6 strategic bomber can achieve long-range flights through aerial refueling, the conditions are different for fighter jets," and stated, "This 10-hour nonstop patrol flight is a good example demonstrating the operational capability and range of Chinese Air Force fighter jets."

The Global Times also mentioned that in the past, the Chinese Air Force deployed J-11B fighter jets to the Paracel Islands (Chinese name: Xisha Qundao) in the South China Sea. However, due to the high salinity and humidity characteristic of the South China Sea climate, it is difficult to maintain fighter jets for extended periods, making it challenging to deploy a large number of fighter jets, the newspaper added.

The Global Times attributed significance to the success of this long-range patrol flight, stating that it allows the Chinese Air Force to expand its fighter jet operational methods in the region.

The People's Liberation Army of China has been demonstrating its military power by conducting live-fire exercises in the South China Sea as the US-China conflict has escalated over sovereignty issues in the South China Sea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.