Key facts
- A Chinese H-6K bomber was photographed with new electronic warfare pods.
- The pods resemble the RKZ930 pods used on J-16D electronic warfare aircraft.
- The bomber was seen with pods on two of its six pylons.
A Chinese H-6K strategic bomber has been sighted with two new electronic warfare pods, potentially indicating an expansion of the aircraft’s capabilities. The photos, which emerged on Saturday, show an H6-K in flight with the pods on two of its six pylons. These pods appear similar to the RKZ930 pods carried by China’s J-16D electronic warfare aircraft. The exact location and date of the photos have not been disclosed, and Chinese officials have not commented on the development. The integration of such pods onto bombers suggests a trend towards equipping strike aircraft with organic electronic warfare capabilities, reducing reliance on dedicated electronic warfare escorts.