Forbes: The Chinese Air Force’s New Tankers Could Help Its Bombers And Fighters Surround Taiwan

Twenty-seven Chinese warplanes skirted Taiwan on Sunday, cutting across the island country’s southwestern air-defense identification zone without crossing into its national air space.

The sortie itself wasn’t unusual. The Chinese air force and navy routinely send fighters, bombers and patrol planes around Taiwan for training and as shows of force.

But the Sunday mission was special in at least one regard. It was the first time the People’s Liberation Army Air Force had sent one of its new Y-20U tankers along on an ADIZ jaunt.