China releases J-31 stealth jet's specs to lure foreign buyers
Manufacturer of the J-31 fighter is hoping to compete with the American-made F-35

China's top aircraft manufacturer has revealed specifications of an advanced stealth fighter jet in a bid to lure foreign buyers, the official China Daily reported yesterday.
In a rare disclosure, the state-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China (Avic) unveiled the capabilities of the J-31 aircraft at an aviation show, even though the jet was still being tested, the newspaper said.
Avic officials have made no secret of the fact they are seeking foreign buyers for the aircraft, hoping to compete with Lockheed Martin's F-35.
Countries that cannot buy weaponry from the United States have increasingly sought them from China, particularly because Chinese arms are often cheaper.
Avic said the fifth-generation fighter jet, which has a 1,200km combat range and a top speed of 2,205km/h, is designed to be in service for up to 30 years.
It has a maximum payload capacity of 8 metric tonnes, the newspaper said.