Combat Patrol – Scarborough Shoal

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – China’s posture at Scarborough Shoal is shifting to better counter Philippine forces at the disputed South China Sea hotspot, according to recent drills.

Known to the Philippines as Bajo de Masinloc and to China as Huangyan Dao, Scarborough has become the site of a near daily military standoff between Manila and Beijing in recent years.

Designated “Combat Patrol – Huangyan Dao,” the People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command’s has forward-deployed new light combat aircraft and advanced air defense frigates to the South China Sea hot spot. This move comes as Philippine forces work to counter the de facto Chinese presence of aircraft and warships established at the maritime feature since 2012.

The Chinese military’s emblem for Battle Patrol – Huangyan Dao. Screen capture from state media Interceptors and Maritime Strike Aircraft

Last week, Hongdu JL-10s soared above Scarborough to intercept Philippine maritime patrol aircraft. Philippine military, Coast Guard and maritime security agencies press various tactical transport aircraft and Cessnas into the maritime domain aerial awareness mission at key South China Sea flashpoints. The aircraft are Manila’s only way of contesting the disputed features without risking a clash at sea.

According to state media reports, the PLA Air Force deploys pairs of fighters such as the J-16 or Su-30 to counter these Philippine patrols. These fighters are usually supported by specialized Y-9s capable of carrying maritime patrol, electronic warfare and intelligence collection missions. KJ-500 airborne early warning and command aircraft are also deployed in support.

Geolocation of the JL-10 flight indicates the use of aviation facilities on Woody Island, a major Chinese base located 150 nautical miles southeast of Hainan. It is unclear whether the PLAAF used the South China Sea airfield as a topping off point or a staging point for aerial missions over Scarborough Shoal.

The use of these light combat aircraft is a downgrade from the higher-end heavy fighters the PLAAF have sortied to Scarborough in prior encounters. The JL-10s faced Philippine Cessnas equipped with a loadout of two air-to-air missiles and a pair of drop tanks. While the J-16s and Su-30s can carry more missiles and fuel, flight costs and maintenance requirements after these missions may not warrant their use against the slower Philippine prop planes.

However, the heavy fighters and bombers remain a crucial component of Chinese posturing efforts, especially in counter combat drills against the Philippines and its allies. Previous state media reports showed the deployment of KH-31A or YJ-91 series suppression of enemy air defense missiles from Chinese fighters alongside anti-ship missile-armed bombers. According to the U.S. Air Force’s China Aerospace Studies Institute, the PLA has extensively studied the application of SEAD missiles against shipborne air defense radars in support of anti-shipping missions.

The PLAN’s Surface Action Groups

PLAN amphibious group at Scarborough Shoal on Aug. 1, 2026. PLA photo Around Scarborough, a PLAN surface action group of guided-missile destroyers and frigates maintains an armed presence behind a fleet of China Coast Guard cutters and maritime militia vessels. The combined maritime fleet persistently patrols a boundary ringing shoal stretching over a few dozen miles. Last summer, these ships were involved in a fatal collision that resulted in the death of two China Coast Guard sailors during their attempt to block a Philippine cutter.

Based on Philippine and Chinese defense reports, at least one guided-missile destroyer – either from Type 052D or Type 055 classes – is present. Two Type 054A-class frigates are also on station with a smaller Type 056A-class corvette. The summer collision incident of 2025 also highlighted the role of Type 901 and Type 903 replenishment ships in supporting the deployment.

In total, the force brings a considerable maritime strike, air defense and area denial capability at Scarborough. Even at a nominal posture, Combat Patrol – Huangyan Dao can field more firepower than the entire Philippine military. In a contingency, the Chinese task force has the potential to strike targets across the Philippine archipelago with its YJ-18 and YJ-20 missiles. Manila has yet to field a comprehensive air defense network capable of tackling these high-end air and missile threats.

Roughly 156 nautical miles east of Scarborough, the Philippine Marine Corps is quietly working up its first BrahMos land-based anti-ship missile battalion in Western Luzon, USNI News reported. Scarborough is within range of the Mach 2.8 Indian-made missiles, which can reach targets 161 nautical miles away. Once operational, the Chinese force will have to contend with these Marine missileers in a contingency.

Aside from the Type 055 and Type 052D guided-missile destroyers, the PLAN has sent a new class of air defense frigates to the waters around Scarborough. The Type 054B is equipped with a new radar. Future variants will expand its vertical launching system capacity from 32 to 48 cells. When combined with new air defense missiles, these ships may provide a challenge for Philippine maritime strikes.