The Chinese Air Force has begun to use H-6 bombers to train flight crews, a move experts say indicates the People's Liberation Army is steadily strengthening its bomber force by putting newer versions into service and moving older ones to flight schools.

Starting in early April, students at the PLA Air Force Harbin Flight Academy have been using the H-6 for bomber training. In the past, they used other planes to simulate bomber flights, according to the PLA Air Force.

The change will substantially shorten the time required to train bomber crews and strongly boost the bomber force's development, the Air Force said.