China has deployed the newly acquired Russian made Su-35 fighter jets in its combat mission over the disputed South China Sea. <br/><br/>The deployment is reportedly aimed to challenge recurring US aerial and naval patrols asserting freedom of navigation and over-flight in region.<br/><br/>The Chinese air force said in a statement that it has recently sent its Su-35 fighter jets to take part in a joint combat patrol over the South China Sea. <br/><br/>The US military is periodically sending warships and air force jets to assert freedom of flights and navigation over the South China Sea as China claims most of it.<br/><br/>Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the area.<br/><br/>This is the first time the People's Liberation Army Air Force has made public the deployment of its Su-35s. Introduced to China in late 2016, the Su-35 is a multi-role fighter aircraft that can attack targets on the ground and the sea.