Surface-to-air missile streaks skyward

Military vehicles attached to the Chinese PLA Air Force maneuver across the vast Gobi terrain to the designated area during a live-fire training exercise in mid-October, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Pei Jun)

Military vehicles attached to the Chinese PLA Air Force maneuver across the vast Gobi terrain to the designated area during a live-fire training exercise in mid-October, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Pei Jun)

Airmen assigned to a surface-to-air missile unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force inspect the missile launcher at sunset during a live-fire training exercise in mid-October, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Pei Jun)

The HQ-12A medium-range air defense system attached to the Chinese PLA Air Force is fired during a live-fire training exercise in mid-October, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Pei Jun)