PLA tests missile to protest Japan's second helicopter destroyer

In protest over the launch of Japan's second Izumo-class helicopter destroyer, China test-launched its Sunburn supersonic anti-ship missile during a naval exercise held in the disputed East China Sea on Aug. 27, according to the state-run China News Service.

More than 100 warships, including the Russian-built Sovremennyy-class destroyer from the PLA's North, South and East Sea fleets were mobilized for the war game. In addition, PLA Air Force aircraft taking part in the exercise provided the warships an opportunity to coordinate with aircraft and submarines in an environment close to real combat.

It is the third-largest exercise the PLA Navy has launched within the last two months, according to state news agency Xinhua. Some of the hardware mobilized for the exercises are likely to be demonstrated to the public during the military parade in Beijing on Sept. 3 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day.

Beijing decided to launch the exercise out of anger over the launch of Japan's second Izumo-class helicopter destroyer on Aug. 27, according to the China News Service.

Designed by Russia to sink aircraft carriers, the Sunburn supersonic anti-ship missile has an attacking range of 120 kilometers. Fuzhou, the PLA NAvy's second Sovremennyy-class destroyer, was responsible for the test-launch of the missile during the drill.

China has a total of four Sovremennyy-class destroyers introduced from Russia, said the report.