China
2024.11.10 13:47 GMT+8

What to expect at 15th Airshow China

Updated 2024.11.13 18:15 GMT+8
CGTN

The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, is scheduled to open on November 12 in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province.

The six-day event will showcase some of the latest Chinese aircraft, including new fighter jet models such as the J-35A, J-15T and J-15D.

The show's highlight is the much-anticipated stealth fighter jet J-35A, which completed its first adaptive training in Zhuhai on November 8.

Military expert Li Li told China Media Group in an interview that the J-35A is China's second stealth fighter jet alongside the J-20, making China the second country after the U.S. to possess two types of stealth fighters. Li also noted that the J-35 is likely to be developed as a series and could potentially serve as a carrier-based aircraft in the future.

China's new stealth fighter J-35A appears in skies over Jinwan Airport in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, south China, November 8, 2024. /CFP

China's new stealth fighter J-35A appears in skies over Jinwan Airport in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, south China, November 8, 2024. /CFP

China's new stealth fighter J-35A appears in skies over Jinwan Airport in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, south China, November 8, 2024. /CFP

For the first time, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy will participate in Airshow China 2024, showcasing a flight performance featuring J-15D, a carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, and J-15T, a carrier-based fighter jet.

J-15D conducted an adaptive training session on November 9 and is ready for its full debut at the exhibition. The two-seat electronic warfare aircraft combines electronic jamming capabilities with strike abilities, potentially playing a crucial role in securing air superiority for aircraft carrier battle groups.

A J-15D aircraft carries out pre-opening training for the 15th Airshow China in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, south China, November 9, 2024. /CFP

Meanwhile, J-15T landed in Zhuhai on November 6 and is set to make its first public appearance during the show. As an upgraded model of the original J-15, the J-15T is equipped with the latest radar and weapons systems and is compatible with catapult launch systems, Chinese military expert Zhang Xuefeng told the Global Times.

A J-15T aircraft prepares for the 15th Airshow China, Guangdong Province, south China, November 6, 2024. /CFP

A J-15T aircraft prepares for the 15th Airshow China, Guangdong Province, south China, November 6, 2024. /CFP

Since 1996, Airshow China has been successfully held 14 times and now ranks among the world's top five airshows.

(Cover: China's Bayi Aerobatic Team conducts its first site adaptation training in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, south China, November 8, 2024. /CFP)

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