China Deploys Upgraded Submarine Hunter To South China Sea Exercises

China has revealed an upgraded model of its Y-9 anti-submarine patrol aircraft in recent naval exercises. This is the first time the plane has been spotted since it was showcased at the 2025 Victory Parade.

The aircraft being used in active training has reached early combat capability and seems to have better sensors for spotting enemy submarines compared to the previous model.

Chinese military expert Zhang Junshe said that the upgraded version of the aircraft has a new phased-array radar under its nose, which would help cover a wider area and detect targets much farther away.

It also features a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) at the tail, which enables it to find submarines deep under the sea. It can also carry more weight and stay in the air much longer.

The aircraft can carry several sonobuoys along both sides of its fuselage and can drop 100 of them in just one operation, covering dozens of kilometres to track submarines underwater.

The PLA Southern Theater Command held search-and-attack training with several anti-submarine patrol aircraft over the South China Sea.

The drills were not limited to pre-decided scenarios or fixed techniques. They included teamwork with other units for anti-submarine operations and maritime patrols.

Teams added electromagnetic interference, equipment failures and emergencies to help pilots make quick decisions and see how they would react in real combat situations.

According to a local Chinese media outlet which covered the training, search-and-attack missions help crews get better at teamwork and handle anti-submarine missions efficiently.

Zhang said that anti-submarine missions in the South China Sea are harder than in the East China Sea or Yellow Sea because the water is much deeper, more than 3,280 feet (1,000 meters), which makes it difficult to detect submarines.