China is developing a new long-range bomber, the head of China’s air force announced Friday. The Chinese state-run Global Times reported Ma Xiaotian said the country has improved its ability to strike foreign targets and that a “new generation” bomber will be seen “in the future,” but did not provide any details about the program, according to Reuters. In a white paper released last year, China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force said it will continue to bolster its strategic projection capabilities among others as it shifts from a “territorial air defense strategy” to one that includes offensive measures. In August, China flew a fleet of bombers, fighters, and other aircraft over the Spratly Islands and the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea as a show of force in the area where tensions remain high. (See also: China Expansion.)
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…