ZHUHAI, China: China on Tuesday demonstrated its increasingly sophisticated air power, including surveillance drones and jets capable of jamming hostile electronic equipment, keeping an eye on disputed territories from Taiwan to China. South China Sea and rivalry with the United States.
The country’s biggest airshow comes in the southern coastal city of Zhuhai as Beijing pushes to meet the 2035 deadline to withdraw its forces for modern warfare.
China still lags behind the United States in terms of technology and investment in its war machine, but experts say it is bridging the gap.
A US intelligence report this year marked China’s growing influence as one of America’s biggest threats.
On Tuesday, a prototype of a new surveillance drone capable of carrying out strikes – the CH-6 – was one of the in-house technology unveiled in Zhuhai.
With a wingspan of 20.5 m (67 ft) and 15.8 m long, according to open source intelligence agency Jens, the drone can carry missiles and is designed for surveillance and strike operations.
Other debutants include the WZ-7 high-altitude drone for border reconnaissance and maritime patrol, as well as the J-16D fighter jet that can jam electronic devices.
State media reported that both have already entered service with the Air Force.
“They will play a major role in both the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea,” military commentators Song Zhongping told AFP.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea – disputed with several other countries – while Beijing maintains that the self-governing island of Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory.
Jens analyst said China is “clearly positioned to be an alternative supplier” of advanced drones, with relative affordability Calvin Wong.
The United States and European countries are hesitant to supply such equipment outside a select group of partners, he added.
Already, Chinese drones have seen combat action in the Middle East, as well as sales in other regions.
Similarly, the J-16D shows an “overall improvement” in the People’s Liberation Army’s combat capabilities, said James Char, a Chinese military expert at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
“This is a really important development because it gives the Chinese military an advantage in terms of conducting aerial electronic warfare on targets with significant air defense capabilities,” he said.
Under President Donald Trump, Washington authorized about $18 billion worth of arms sales to Taiwan, including advanced missile platforms – sales that have angered Beijing.
The J-16D has wingtip pods to intercept enemy electronic equipment and has been compared with us NavyThe EA-18G Growler.
The airshow, which is usually held every two years, was postponed since last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is being held in front of a massive domestic audience due to quarantine and travel restrictions.
The country’s biggest airshow comes in the southern coastal city of Zhuhai as Beijing pushes to meet the 2035 deadline to withdraw its forces for modern warfare.
China still lags behind the United States in terms of technology and investment in its war machine, but experts say it is bridging the gap.
A US intelligence report this year marked China’s growing influence as one of America’s biggest threats.
On Tuesday, a prototype of a new surveillance drone capable of carrying out strikes – the CH-6 – was one of the in-house technology unveiled in Zhuhai.
With a wingspan of 20.5 m (67 ft) and 15.8 m long, according to open source intelligence agency Jens, the drone can carry missiles and is designed for surveillance and strike operations.
Other debutants include the WZ-7 high-altitude drone for border reconnaissance and maritime patrol, as well as the J-16D fighter jet that can jam electronic devices.
State media reported that both have already entered service with the Air Force.
“They will play a major role in both the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea,” military commentators Song Zhongping told AFP.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea – disputed with several other countries – while Beijing maintains that the self-governing island of Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory.
Jens analyst said China is “clearly positioned to be an alternative supplier” of advanced drones, with relative affordability Calvin Wong.
The United States and European countries are hesitant to supply such equipment outside a select group of partners, he added.
Already, Chinese drones have seen combat action in the Middle East, as well as sales in other regions.
Similarly, the J-16D shows an “overall improvement” in the People’s Liberation Army’s combat capabilities, said James Char, a Chinese military expert at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
“This is a really important development because it gives the Chinese military an advantage in terms of conducting aerial electronic warfare on targets with significant air defense capabilities,” he said.
Under President Donald Trump, Washington authorized about $18 billion worth of arms sales to Taiwan, including advanced missile platforms – sales that have angered Beijing.
The J-16D has wingtip pods to intercept enemy electronic equipment and has been compared with us NavyThe EA-18G Growler.
The airshow, which is usually held every two years, was postponed since last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is being held in front of a massive domestic audience due to quarantine and travel restrictions.
.