Air echelons fly over Chang'an Avenue during V-Day parade

The Early Warning and Command Aircraft Echelon led the air echelons at the parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing on Wednesday. The KJ-500A early warning aircraft and J-16 fighters were the first to fly by. Next were the KJ-600 early warning planes and J-15T ship-borne fighters. The development and deployment of the latest, domestically made early warning aircraft has significantly improved the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) capacities in command and control, early warning and detection, and coordinated strike.

Escorted by J-16 fighters, the Y-9 anti-submarine patrol aircraft, electronic reconnaissance aircraft and radar-jamming aircraft formed three V-formations.

Various types of special-purpose aircraft have greatly increased the PLA's abilities in maritime and air reconnaissance, patrol and surveillance, and electro-magnetic neutralization.

Y-20A and Y-20B transport planes formed two groups in the Transport Aircraft Echelon. These new-type and multifunctional transport aircraft, equipped with new, domestically made engines, feature long flight range, high loading capacity and high speed. They have carried out multiple major missions at home and abroad.

H-6N strategic bombers and H-6K and H-6J bombers flew in the Bomber Echelon. They are capable of long-range strikes, patrols across large areas and attacks outside the defense zone.

The Refueling and Receiver Echelon was also reviewed. Three YY-20A airborne refueling tankers flew with H-6N bombers and J-16 and J-20 fighters.