In a bid to expand its increasingly sophisticated military equipment, China's air force is reportedly developing a type of strategic bomber capable of launching long-range strikes, Chinese state media reported on Friday.

Ma Xiaotian, China's air force chief, said the strategic bomber is part of Beijing's recent progress in its production of large aircraft and further adds to its range of sophisticated military equipment.

Like Us on Facebook

Although Ma refused to give any more details on when the aircraft would be launched, he told reporters that they would see it "in the future."

H-6K strategic bomber

"We are now developing a new generation of long-range bomber, and you'll see it in the future," the Global Times quoted Ma saying during an air force open day last Thursday.

Ma said China has improved its bombers to strike at targets from the mainland and said there would be more improvements to its aircraft in the coming months.

China unveiled its new generation H-6K strategic bomber last year which is capable of striking at targets as far away as Australia. The bomber is reportedly equipped with the DH-20 land-attack cruise missile, making it capable of air strikes at long distances.

Muscle flexing

At present, only the US and Russia have the capability to launch missiles from the air, but Ma said it would not be very long before China also has this ability.

China has been busy researching advanced and sophisticated military equipment such as aircraft carriers, submarines, stealth fighter jets, and anti-missile systems.

Military observers said China's development of a long-range bomber and stealth fighters is its way of flexing its muscles in places it has a dispute with its neighbors such as in the South China Sea.

Tagsstrategic bomber, H-6K long-range bomber, Washington, South China Sea, china