Chinese Y-9LG radio reconnaissance aircraft spotted during exercises in Thailand

China flies the Y-9LG electronic warfare/electronic reconnaissance aircraft for the first time during the Falcon Strike joint exercise with Thailand.

Here's What We Know

The aircraft, dubbed Y-9LG or High New 13, was one of 13 aircraft of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) that took part in Falcon Strike exercises with the Royal Thai Air Force in Udon Thani, which lasted from 18 to 29 August.

The Y-9LG will enter service with the Chinese Air Force only in 2022 after being in development since at least 2017. The new aircraft is based on the Shaanxi Y-9 turboprop transport aircraft.

The Y-9LG was identified on satellite imagery in late 2017, but has been sporadically spotted since then. However, in early 2023, it was finally reported that the aircraft had entered service with the PLA Air Force.

The most noticeable feature of the Y-9LG is the radar antenna mounted above the fuselage. The Y-9LG contains an array that is used for offensive operations. In this case, it performs radar electronic scanning to jam enemy radar signals, enabling the Y-9LG to perform sophisticated point-to-point electronic attacks against multiple targets at long range.

Source: The War Zone