China has developed and commissioned a fixed-wing, anti-submarine patrol aircraft similar to the United States’ P-3C Orion. The Chinese navy has got a four-engine Gaoxin-6, anti-submarine aircraft developed and manufactured by Aviation Industry Corp of China. It has been delivered to the Beihai – or North Sea – Fleet of the People’s Liberation Army navy.

The aircraft can easily be distinguished from other Y-8 variants by its large sea-search radar. It is China’s first large aircraft specifically designed for anti-submarine warfare. China has become the sixth country in the world to develop such a sophisticated plane. The other five countries are United States, Russia, Japan, the UK and France.

The most-deployed anti-submarine aircraft is the US’ Lockheed P-3C Orion, which often appears in naval confrontations between the US and China. Almost all US allies including Pakistan have P-3Cs as the backbone of their anti-submarine forces. The addition of the Gaoxin-6 will extensively enhance the navy’s anti-submarine power while facilitating its maritime patrols and reconnaissance.