The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) announced on 8 February that they send recently acquired Russian-built Su-35 fighter jets for a joint combat patrol mission in the South China Sea area.

According to the PLAAF, the deployment of newest Su-35 fighter jets is part of the air force’s efforts to carry out military training under combat conditions.

The PLAAF has for the first time released images of new Su-35 fighter jets designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and built by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association. China reportedly bought 24 Su-35 fighter jets, nicknamed “the killer in the sky” by military analysts, for $2billion from Russia in 2015.

More: China receives new batch of Russian advanced Su-35 fighter jets

The first four fighters were reportedly shipped in late 2016 while another 10 were handed over in 2017. The remaining 10 aircraft are reportedly to be delivered in 2018.

More: Myanmar orders six Su-30 fighter aircraft from Russia

The PLAAF said it would continue to attach importance to science and technology, rule of law and sound planning in its training to improve its ability to win wars in the new era.