China Coast Guard MA-60H

A rarely seen China Coast Guard Xian MA-60H Maritime Patrol Aircraft was recently photographed. The serial, 21701, has not been reported before.

According to our information the China Coast Guard (CCG) has one MA-60H MPA in its inventory. The aircraft was already delivered in April 2016, but handed over to the CCG South Sea Bureau in June 2017. It operates from the newly constructed Bo’ao airport on Hainan Island.

In 2017, the MA-60H was still adorned with a three stripes blue coloured cheatline. We are not 100% sure this is the same aircraft.

The MPA has various domes under the fuselage that house search radars for surface ship surveillance. Also, the aircraft is equipped with hardpoints under the wing. Photos released in 2017 show range extending fuel tanks mounted.

Although the MA-60H is not believed to be armed, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has previously revealed an MA-60 MPA concept that would carry torpedoes and sonobuoys for anti-surface warfare (ASuW).

Photo: East Pendulum (Twitter @HenriKenhmann)