A Chinese Y-8 military transport aircraft was seen on the disputed Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea.
It was witnessed just 12 nautical miles from the Philippines-occupied Thitu Island.
China exerts de facto control over the Subi Reef which is also claimed by Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
As per Sputnik, incredibly detailed images captured by satellite sensors on April 28 depict a Shaanxi Y-8 resting in an airfield on the reef.
The popular Chinese aircraft is based on the Soviet-era Antonov An-12 aircraft and is comparable to America's C-130 Hercules as a medium-range, prop-driven transport plane capable of carrying troops, paratroopers and supplies.
Beijing has already created several variants of the Y-8 aircraft like helicopter transportation, anti-submarine warfare, electronic countermeasures and electronic signals intelligence. The Y-8E variant can launch reconnaissance drones too.
Earlier this month, China had installed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on three outposts in the South China Sea. The White House then warned Beijing saying, there will be consequences for its growing militarization in the South China Sea.
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