China’s J-16 fighter jet shines at Airshow China

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: A J-16 fighter jet impressed the audience at the ongoing Airshow China in Zhuhai City, south China’s Guangdong Province by performing shining aerobatic moves, showcasing its outstanding maneuverability.

The jet showcased a series of technical actions, including a sharp turn with large slope at an ultra-low altitude and a high speed, vertical takeoff and continuous overturn with heavy loads. It was the first time the J-16 had been on public display at the airshow.

A J-16 pilot Zhang Yang told Xinhua News Agency on Thursday that the jet displayed “strong practical significance.”

The two-seat, dual-engine jet is a multi-functional heavy fighter, with a bomb loading capacity of around eight tonnes. It serves as an all-rounder with beyond-visual-range air-to-air and air-to-ship strike capabilities.

Based on the Chinese J-11BS, the new-generation heavy fighter aircraft is one of the important offensive and defensive aircraft of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, according to Xinhua.

Zhang said J-16 fighter jets have engaged in various combat situations since their commission to the PLA, including a variety of transnational military exercises, demonstrating stable platform performance and strong maneuverability.

The J-16, along with J-20 and J-10C, has carried out aerial refueling training with the YY-20, China’s new-generation aerial refueling plane, many times, enhancing the PLA Air Force’s capability of long-range maneuverability, according to Shen Jinke, spokesman for the PLA Air Force, on Sunday.

The J-16 fighters made their parade debut in 2017 when the PLA staged a show of strength to mark its 90th founding anniversary.

Based on the J-16 fighter, China designed and manufactured the J-16D, an electronic warfare fighter jet, aiming to jam enemy radar and erode anti-aircraft systems. The type made its debut at the airshow in 2021 and appeared again this year.