China’s new J-16D electronic attack jet joins combat training with other warplanes

It will be more effective alongside aircraft like the J-20 stealth fighter, PLA researcher tells state television

Analyst says Chinese dogfight training and design concepts were ‘inspired by their American peers’

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The J-16D multirole fighter jet can carry a range of weapons, interference and surveillance devices. Photo: Handout

Published: 5:00am, 9 Nov 2021Updated: 5:43am, 9 Nov 2021

China’s new J-16D electronic attack jet has begun combat training alongside other advanced warplanes, according to state television, a dogfight strategy said to be inspired by that of the US Air Force.

The J-16D – an electronic warfare version of the J-16 multirole strike fighter – was part of a joint combat drill soon after it made its public debut at the Zhuhai Airshow in late September, CCTV reported on Saturday.

Wang Mingliang, a researcher at the PLA Air Force Command College in Beijing, told the state broadcaster that the new aircraft – which can carry a range of weapons, interference and surveillance devices – would be more effective when working with other warplanes like the J-20 stealth fighter jet.

“Both the J-16D and the J-20 can evade detection by rival radar systems,” Wang said. “So the two aircraft will benefit each other when they team up during a future battle.”

The J-16D is a multirole fighter that can jam enemy radars and was designed to accompany the J-20 and J-10C fighter jets. All three aircraft are equipped with computer-controlled active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar systems that allow them to better communicate with each other and detect enemies earlier.

The new electronic attack jet was designed to accompany the J-20 stealth fighter (pictured). Photo: AP

Zhou Chenming, a researcher from the Yuan Wang military science and technology institute in Beijing, said the design concept of the J-16D was “very similar” to the F-15E Strike Eagle multirole fighter used by the US Air Force.