Summary and Key Points You Need to Know: The Chinese Shaanxi Y-9LG, a long-range electronic warfare (EW) aircraft, was recently spotted during the Sino-Thai joint air exercises known as "Falcon Strike 2024."

-This marks the aircraft's first overseas exercise and its first widely-photographed flight.

-Based on the Y-9 airlifter, the Y-9LG is equipped with advanced electronic warfare and intelligence capabilities, including a distinctive "balance beam" antenna similar to China's KJ-200 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft.

-The Y-9LG’s appearance highlights China’s evolving EW capabilities and willingness to test its hardware in real-world scenarios, raising concerns over potential intelligence gathering during joint operations with Western-aligned nations like Thailand.

Chinese Shaanxi Y-9LG Spotted at Joint Exercises With Thailand

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has conducted numerous joint exercises with China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in recent years, and while it may allow Beijing to glean a bit more information on some Western-made platforms than Washington might like – notably the F-16 Fighting Falcon – much has been learned about Chinese hardware.

Beijing appears to be walking a thin line between wanting to reveal too much, while also ensuring its latest and greatest aircraft are put through a test with Western aircraft. Sometimes it has come with unexpected results. As previously reported by Harrison Kass for The National Interest, RTAF JAS 39 Gripen multirole fighters outperformed China's Su-27s in beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat in recent war game simulations.

In the recently concluded Sino-Thai exercises, it wasn't how any PLAAF fighters performed that is noteworthy, but rather the presence of a Shaanxi Y-9LG long-range electronic warfare (EW) aircraft.

"The Y-9LG was part of a contingent of PLA aircraft that participated in 'Falcon Strike 2024', a 19-day joint air force training exercise hosted by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) at its Udon Thani Air Force Base, according to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND)," reported international military analyst firm Janes about the presence of the electronic warfare/electronic intelligence (EW/ELINT) aircraft.

This marked the Y-9LG's first overseas exercise and the first time the aircraft has been widely photographed in flight.

"We finally have a clear image of an operational PLAAF  Y-9LG (Y-8GX-18) ECM/ELINT type and according to its serial number 30211, it is assigned to the 20th Specialised Division, 58th Air Regiment based at Guiyang-Leizhuang (STC). (Image by KOREENOR via Planespotter)," wrote military aviation watcher Rupprecht Deino on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

The Y-9LG in the Crosshairs

It entered service with the PLAAF and had reportedly been in development since 2017, based on the Shaanxi Y-9 turboprop medium airlifter, which was introduced in 2012 to compete with the American-made C-130J Super Hercules on the international market.

Though the Y-9 is operated by a crew of four, it is unclear how many personnel serve on the Y-98LG.

"The aircraft at Falcon Strike was in low-visibility markings and carried the serial 30211, indicating it was from the PLAAF's 20th Special Division," Naval News reported, adding that it could "be identified by a prominent 'balance beam' antenna similar to Saab's Erieye airborne radar and that fitted to China's KJ-200 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft, along with several different fairings fitted for its specialised mission."

The aircraft also sports a dorsal electronic support measures/direction-finding (ESM/DF) antenna. According to Janes, the same antenna has been employed on PLA EW aircraft, including "the Y-9G (GX-11) and Y-9Z communications countermeasure aircraft."

In addition to serving as an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, the Y-9LG could be employed in an offensive role where its radar electronic scanning systems can jam enemy radar signals including point-to-point attacks.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].

Image Credit: Main image is a screenshot from social media.