China’s air force quietly adds new J-16 fighter jets to ‘push the envelope’
Expanded line-up of multirole all-weather aircraft will help to launch strikes deep into enemy territory and destroy key strategic assets, analysts say
China’s expanding line-up of multirole, all-weather J-16 fighter jets will help the air force to launch strikes deep into enemy territory and destroy key strategic assets like airfields and bridges, military analysts say.
While it is not as advanced as the new J-20 – officially named Weilong, or powerful dragon – the Shenyang J-16 will become a key part of PLA Air Force operations and any strategy against Taiwan or to deter US military intervention, they said.
Military observers say they have noticed more J-16s entering service recently, based on the serial numbers seen on fighter jets used in recent drills – evidence that the PLA Air Force is quietly adding to its squadron.
The multirole aircraft is the first of its kind that can carry a full range of Chinese-built equipment, from anti-ship missiles and air-to-air missiles to satellite-guided smart bombs, cruise missiles and electronic countermeasure (ECM) jammers. The fighter jets can be used for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
While the aircraft design is largely based on the Su-30, the J-16 features a Chinese radar and tracking system. It also has a provision for in-flight refuelling – giving it the capacity to strike deep into enemy territory and greater operational range. An electronic attack version, the J-16D, is also under development. China wants that fighter jet to be equivalent to the US EA-18G Growler – the most advanced airborne electronic attack platform.
Electronic warfare is seen as the key to winning any conflict over the Taiwan Strait, with the ability to overwhelm enemy radar systems in the first few hours considered crucial.