China’s newest warplane, the J-20 stealth fighter, will make its first public flight at the Zhuhai Air Show, its manufacturer announced Monday, as Beijing flexes its long-range military muscles.
The J-20, “which military enthusiasts at home and abroad have watched closely”, will make its first public flight demonstration, said Tan Ruisong, the president of China’s state aerospace company AVIC.
China trailed the world in aerospace technology 20 years ago, he told a press conference, but was now at the leading edge.
Swift, stealthy, and armed with long-range missiles, the new J-20s represent a leap forward in China’s ability to project power in Asia and compete in capabilities with the United States.
Beijing is seeking to modernize and upgrade its military both to protect its borders and project power into regions such as the South China Sea, a resource-rich waterway where it has disputes with several neighbors.
China’s only international aerospace exhibition, held biennially in the southern city of Zhuhai, this year boasts its largest-ever display of military hardware and aircraft, with 11 exhibition halls, 430,000 square meters of indoor and outdoor viewing area, and 151 aircraft from 700 exhibitors from 42 countries and regions.
The show will also see the debut of the Y-20 transport aircraft, which can move heavy loads and carry out airlifts to assist military activities.
Chinese-made military assault vehicles, anti-aircraft missile systems, drones and fighter jets stood on display outside the exhibition center.
AVIC chief Tan said his company had business in 80 countries and territories, with annual overseas sales exceeding 80 billion yuan ($11.8 billion).
The firm will firmly remember its “sacred mission” to serve China, he said. It would carry out the strategic plan of the Communist party, the government and the People’s Liberation Army and “closely unite around the core leadership of comrade Xi Jinping”.
AVIC, which earlier this year acquired British cabin interior supplier AIM Altitude, would “persistently struggle” to realize the dream of a great Chinese air force and a strong military, he added.
China is aggressively moving to develop its domestic weapons industry, from drones and anti-aircraft systems to homegrown jet engines.
In the past it has been accused of copying designs from Russian fighters, and some analysts say its next-generation J-31 stealth fighter bears a close resemblance to the US-developed F-35.
Another exhibitor, China South Industries Group Corporation, showed off 70 products focused on anti-terror operations, fast response forces and aircraft munitions.
It is worth finding out if Chinese copy cat J-20 fighter stealth signature will match the original F-35.
Not even close, They think by taking a reversed engineered copy of the RAM from the downed F117 that they have stealth, it is obvious they have not done any calculations on the airframe as a 2nd year aerospace engineer student can spot features on the JUNK-20 that preclude it from being stealthy and that doesn't even touch the weapons suite of the F-35 which is generations ahead of this flying junk heap
Make sense why China still buying Russian Su-35s wareplane should J-20 capability is far superior as 5th generation fighter-bomber.
exactly, and why did the Chineese Navy drop the J-20 from its aircraft carrier. My guess is the morons in Peking found out that first generation RAM (F117) doesnt work when wet.
Or could be those smart Chinese generals realized J-20 will fall on the sea when it is wet.
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