Airborne early warning aircraft to serve over East China Sea

China deployed its Airborne Early Warning and Control or AEW&C aircraft to patrol the East China Sea in the past few days.

AEW&C aircraft are essentially airborne radar platforms which can survey a designated area and identify air, marine and land targets. The aircraft will help in monitoring China’s recently declared Air Defense Identification Zone or ADIZ. Presently, there will be at least one aircraft available to patrol the ADIZ in all weather.

The plan in the future is for the AEW&C aircraft to be able to directly command an air combat group comprised of fighter jets, bombers and supply tankers. Military experts hope the force will be able to help China manage its ADIZ over the East China Sea more efficiently.

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