China to debut J-16D at air show, signalling electromagnetic warfare prowess

Name: China showcases its newest weapons in Zhuhai Airshow
Uploaded: 2021-09-25T04:00:13.000Z
Duration: 1 min 7 s
Description: China showcases its newest weapons in Zhuhai Airshow

Electronic variant of J-16 fighter will feature at Zhuhai Airshow and bears military insignia, indicating it has entered service

The Chinese jet is the second of its type, after the American EA-18G Growler

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The J-16D can be used to jam, disrupt and attack an enemy’s air defence system. Photo: Weibo

Amber Wang

Published: 12:00pm, 25 Sep 2021Updated: 11:59pm, 25 Sep 2021

China’s electronic warfare aircraft the J-16D will make its debut at the country’s largest air show next week, showcasing the advances in the military’s capabilities in electromagnetic warfare.

A J-16D – the electronic variant of China’s J-16 fighter – landed in the southern city of Zhuhai on Tuesday in preparation for display at the show, China Central Television (CCTV) reported. The six-day China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, also known as the Zhuhai Airshow or Airshow China, begins next Tuesday.

The aircraft was painted with the insignia of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), CCTV said. That indicates that it has been in service for the military.

Senior Colonel Shen Jinke, spokesman for the PLA Air Force, told CCTV on Friday that the J-16D had entered combat training to aid the force’s electronic attack capabilities and support expansion of its combat range.

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China showcases its newest weapons in Zhuhai Airshow

The J-16D’s notable features are several antennas on its fuselage and an electronic warfare pod on each wing, designed to jam and disrupt the targets of an enemy’s air defence system and launch anti-radiation missiles for attacks, typically against an enemy radar, Guangdong-based news website southcn.com reported. It can also protect other aircraft from enemy attacks, the report said.

China is the second country to develop this type of electronic warfare fighter, after the United States, whose EA-18G Growler is, similarly, designed for jamming enemy systems and for electronic protection of other aircraft during attack missions. It is evidence of China’s greatly improved electronic warfare capabilities, experts said.

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