Xi'an H-6

Overview

The Xi'an H-6(Chinese: 轰-6; pinyin: Hōng-6), also known as Zhanshen (Chinese: 战神; pinyin: zhàn shén; lit. 'War God') is a Chinese twin-engine jet heavy bomber manufactured by the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation. It is a license-built version of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 and remains the primary bomber aircraft of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Delivery of the Tu-16 to China began in 1958, and a license production agreement with the Soviets was signed in the late 1950s. By November 2020, the PLAAF had as many as 231 H-6s, and continued to build the aircraft, which has been extensively modified and upgraded. The latest variant of the H-6 is the H-6N, a heavily redesigned strategic bomber capable of aerial refueling and carrying air-launched cruise missiles. According to the United States Department of Defense, this will give the PLAAF a long-range standoff offensive air capability with precision-guided munitions.