China may be in the process of testing long-range air-to-air missile that could easily target early warning aircraft and aerial refuelling aircraft, a state-run newspaper claimed on Thursday.

The English newspaper China Daily said that the Chinese army uploaded photos on their website of a J-11B fighter carrying a large, unidentified missile during the military drill last year.

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Air force researcher Fu Qianshao informed the newspaper that the missile may have been designed to target distant high value targets like early warning aircraft that are normally located outside conventional combat zones.

He stressed that "successful development of this potential new missile would be a major breakthrough" while claiming that the missile may even exceed an actual range of 400 km (249 miles).

If this claim is true then this would be a major improvement over existing Chinese missiles, which can target aircrafts only within the range of 100 km (62 miles).   

The Chinese air force or People's Liberation Army (PLA) is yet to officially comment on the new missile. However, the Chinese media rarely reports about new weapons unless they anticipate a confirmation from the Chinese army.  

The Chinese government is currently carrying out an ambitious military modernization program that aims to include advanced stealth jets, aircraft carriers and anti-satellite missiles in the Chinese army.

The military modernization drive comes amid China's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea region, where China continues to claim territorial rights despite the historic ruling by the international arbitration court last year.

Earlier this month, China's first aircraft carrier the 'Liaoning' passed through Taiwan Strait, which quickly prompted Taiwan to fighter jets and navy ships in the region. 

TagsChinese missiles, china, Chinese military, China Military Modernization