Saturday, March 25, 2023
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result

China shows off new drones and jets at Zhuhai airshow

by Agence France-Presse
September 28, 2021
in Air Force News
2 min read
0
CH-6 Drone

CH-6 is a long-endurance, twin-jet engine, multirole drone.

14
VIEWS

China on Tuesday showed off its increasingly sophisticated air power including surveillance drones, with an eye on disputed territories from Taiwan to the South China Sea and its rivalry with the United States.

The country’s biggest airshow, in the southern coastal city of Zhuhai, comes as Beijing pushes to meet a 2035 deadline to retool its military for modern warfare.

China still lags the United States in terms of tech and investment in its war machine, but experts say it is narrowing the gap.

A US intelligence report this year flagged China’s growing influence as one of America’s biggest threats.

On Tuesday, the air force aerobatic team left colorful vapor trails as it maneuvered in formation, while visitors inspected new jets, drones and attack helicopters on the tarmac.

The CH-6, a prototype drone with a wingspan of 20.5 meters (67 feet), was among the domestic tech unveiled.

It is designed for surveillance and can also carry weapons for strike missions, according to open-source intelligence agency Janes.

The drone has a cruising altitude of 10,000 meters, “but it can go as high as 15,000 metres,” Qin Yongming, general manager of drone maker Aerospace CH UAV Co, told AFP.

“It can fly for longer periods (than previous models)… it can carry out longer missions, with higher efficiency without any time limits.”

Other debutants included the WZ-7 high-altitude drone for border reconnaissance and maritime patrol, as well as the J-16D fighter that has the ability to jam electronic equipment.

Both have already entered service with the Chinese air force, state media reported.

“They will play a major role in both the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea,” military commentator Song Zhongping told AFP.

Beijing claims virtually all of the South China Sea — disputed with several other nations — and says the self-ruled island of Taiwan is an inviolable part of its territory.

Under president Donald Trump, the United States authorised arms sales to Taiwan worth around $18 billion worth, including advanced missile platforms — sales that have angered Beijing.

Alternative drone supplier
China is also “clearly positioning itself to be an alternative supplier” of advanced drones, with relative affordability, said Janes analyst Kelvin Wong.

The United States and European countries have been hesitant to supply such equipment outside a select group of partners, he added.

Chinese drones have already combat action in the Middle East, and have been sold to customers in other regions too.

The J-16D, meanwhile, improves the combat capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army, said James Char, a Chinese military expert at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University.

The jet has wingtip pods to disrupt enemy electronic equipment, and has drawn comparisons with the US-made EA-18G Growler.

“It gives the Chinese military an advantage in terms of conducting aerial electronic warfare over targets that possess significant air defence capabilities,” Char said.

The Zhuhai airshow, usually held every two years, was postponed from last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and is being staged before a largely domestic audience due to quarantine and travel restrictions.

Tags: airshowchinadronesfighter jetsZhuhai airshow
Previous Post

North Korea fires ‘missile’, insists on right to weapons tests

Next Post

Afghan army collapse took US by ‘surprise’: Pentagon chief

Related Posts

Su-35 Fighter Aircraft, Russian Air Force

Iran says deal reached to buy Russian fighter jets

March 13, 2023

Iran has finalized a deal to buy Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, state media reported, as defence cooperation between...

USAF F-16 fleet undergoing largest modification work in history

US jets intercept Russian aircraft near Alaska

February 15, 2023

Two American F-16 warplanes intercepted four Russian aircraft near Alaska, the joint US-Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said...

Next Post
Afghan army collapse took US by ‘surprise’: Pentagon chief

Afghan army collapse took US by 'surprise': Pentagon chief

Latest Defense News

Ahead of talks, North Korea says fired ‘new’ sub-launched missile

North Korea says it tested new underwater nuclear attack ‘drone’

March 24, 2023
China Naval Modernization: Implications for US Navy

Chinese military says ‘warned’ US warship to leave S. China Sea

March 24, 2023
Urban warfare ‘nightmare’ looms if Russia enters Ukraine cities

NATO rejects Russian complaints on UK uranium ammo

March 24, 2023
Russian navy in show of strength with 26 new ships this year

Russian navy ‘repelled’ drone attack on Crimea port

March 23, 2023
Officials provide details on building the Space Force, its structure, and operating imperatives

Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ at 40: Battle of the satellites

March 23, 2023
China will ‘never commit to abandoning the use of force’ on Taiwan: Xi

China diplomatic offensive lays down new challenge for US

March 22, 2023

Defense Forum Discussions

  • NATO
  • China - Geostrategic & Geopolitical.
  • F-18 Hornet Cobra Warrior mission
  • Taiwan alternative options
  • Brazilian Naval Strength
  • US Navy News and updates
  • Australian Army Discussions and Updates
  • The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread
  • Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0
  • USAF News and Discussion
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com