China to showcase newest stealth jet fighter in air show

International

WITH a goal to modernize its armed forces assets and match the United State’s stealth fighter capabilities, China is set to launch its new stealth fighter jet, the J-35A.

According to a Chinese military-affiliated outlet, the mid-size J-35A combat plane is “designed mainly for air combat operations and can conduct air-to-surface attack.”

An image of this project, which was initiated by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) was released on Tuesday, November 5, during an Air Force conference, prior to its planned debut set at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition or the Airshow China which will be held at the Zhuhai Airport in Guangdong province on November 12.

Once it is in full operation, it will make China the second (to the USA), with two types of stealth fighter jets, a CNN report said.

China owns a J-20 heavy-duty stealth fighter commissioned in 2017.

The advanced combat fighter meets the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force’s “technical and tactical standards such as performance, safety and reliability,” according to Chinese military aviation expert Fu Qianshao, per a report by the Chinese state-run Global Times.

China’s J-35A has a different design than its first stealth fighter J-20. The new multi-role stealth fighter jet uses a tailplane wing configuration which is similar to the F-35 of the United States. The combat jet possesses strong surface attack capabilities and could perform complementary roles in joint missions.

AVIC in its press release said the aircraft’s mission is “to seize and control air superiority, eliminate hostile fourth/fifth generation fighter jets and ground/surface air defense forces, as well as intercept aerial hostile targets including fighters, bombers and cruise missiles.”

The launching of the new combat jet of China marks the growing air force capabilities of one of the most powerful nations in the globe.(LAO)