China's electronic warfare jet J-16D is being displayed at the Zhuhai Airshow for the first time, and is silently stealing the show with its top-level abilities.

Though many other cool-looking and powerful military aircraft gave highly skilled and impressive performances during the show, the J-16D caught most eyeballs of military enthusiasts while just sitting on the ground.

China Media Group (CMG) called its appearance "a nice surprise," adding that the aircraft is currently the "most advanced and most secretive" electronic warfare warplane in the Chinese air force.

In a clip played by CMG on national TV, the insignia of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force can be seen on the J-16D, which means this type of jet is already in service.

This also indicated that China is the world's second nation to possess electronic warfare aircraft, after the United States. 

The J-16D was built based on the previous-generation J-16 fighter jet. It's equipped with signal jammers that can disable enemy radars, missile guiding systems and wireless communication, according to CMG.

The main function of the J-16D is to cripple enemies' anti-air defense, stealth aircraft and Aegis-like missile defense systems and help other attacking aircraft finish their missions.

"Modding current equipment is a common way of upgrading across the world," said Wang Zhilong, deputy head of PLA Air Force's equipment branch. "The U.S. modded their F-16 and Russia modded their Su-27."

Wang added that "one platform, multiple systems" is a viable pathway to unleash the maximum potential of equipment.

Another military expert, Wang Mingzhi, told Xinhua that the J-16D can play a critical role in modern warfare.

"Modern air fight bases on information," he said. "The J-16D can do reconnaissance, offense and defense at the same time so it's a very useful tool to achieve information supremacy, or 'electromagnetic supremacy.'"

Other notable military aircraft at the show include the J-20 fighter jet, which now can be equipped with a made-in-China engine, two types of high-end unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and the Wing Long-2 (Yilong-2) unmanned aerial vehicle which did a great job at securing wireless communications in the COVID-19-hit Henan Province back in July.

The Zhuhai Airshow, or China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, is widely considered to be the biggest airshow on the Chinese mainland. This year's show is ongoing in south China's Zhuhai City, and lasts until October 3.