https://www.scmp.com/rss/523930/feed The latest news and top stories on Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. A leading entity in the aerospace defence and manufacturing sectors, Chengdu based Chengdu Aircraft Corporation specialises in designing and producing combat aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. As a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China, its primary products include the J-10 multi-role fighter, J-20 stealth fighter and Wing Loong series drones. Serving the Chinese military and international markets, the company is... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Liu Zhen Liu Zhen Iran has demanded explanations from two Gulf states equipped with Chinese-made Wing Loong II drones after one was reportedly shot down in the war with the United States and Israel. Both the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are known to have the reconnaissance and precision strike drones in their arsenals. The drone was shot down over the city of Shiraz on Thursday, according to Esmail Baqaei, a spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry. Baqaei posted photos of drone wreckage on social... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3349036/iran-demands-explanations-saudis-and-uae-after-chinese-made-drone-was-shot-down?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3349036/iran-demands-explanations-saudis-and-uae-after-chinese-made-drone-was-shot-down?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:51:34 +0000 Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings China’s leading planemaker is redoubling its efforts to boost the international profile of its home-grown jets in 2026, injecting a sizeable amount of capital into a subsidiary carrier as it attempts to widen its planes’ coverage area and attract more overseas buyers. The state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), manufacturer of the C909 regional airliner and the company’s flagship narrowbody C919, recently infused 634 million yuan (US$91.76 million) into C909 launch customer... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344157/chinas-c909-jet-gets-international-uplift-funding-adoptive-airline?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344157/chinas-c909-jet-gets-international-uplift-funding-adoptive-airline?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 03:00:09 +0000 Seong Hyeon Choi Seong Hyeon Choi China’s 4.5-generation fighter the J-10C appeared at the Singapore Airshow this week amid a drive by Beijing to boost arms sales to Southeast Asia. The model has gained increasing global prominence following reports last May that it had been used by the Pakistan Air Force to shoot down at least one French-made Rafale fighter operated by India during a brief border conflict. The seven J-10C jets taking part in the Singapore Airshow arrived last Wednesday, accompanied by a Y-20A refuelling... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3342255/chinas-j-10c-performs-singapore-air-show-after-lead-role-india-pakistan-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3342255/chinas-j-10c-performs-singapore-air-show-after-lead-role-india-pakistan-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:01:46 +0000 Frank Chen,Yeon Woo Lee Frank Chen,Yeon Woo Lee When the first cohort of elite foreign captains parachuted into Chinese airlines in the 2000s, their sky-high pay – sometimes reaching 1 million yuan a year – raised eyebrows among their Chinese counterparts. These hotshot aviators, with their international exposure and qualifications, enjoyed a stratospheric level of success in the burgeoning Chinese market. Facing a shortage of experienced pilots, Chinese carriers embraced them with open arms, granting generous benefits and speedy paths to... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342101/chinas-expat-pilots-arrived-red-carpet-now-theyre-taking-red-eye-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342101/chinas-expat-pilots-arrived-red-carpet-now-theyre-taking-red-eye-out?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:00:08 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei Beijing has released footage of flight tests of an upgraded J-20A stealth fighter, with signs that the jets have been equipped with long-awaited high-thrust WS-15 engines and better avionics. Chengdu Aircraft Corporation – the Aviation Industry Corporation of China subsidiary manufacturer of the J-20 stealth fighter – released new imagery and flight footage of its latest test aircraft on Saturday. According to a social media post by state news agency Xinhua on Wednesday, these aircraft are new... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3341693/are-chinas-j-20a-stealth-fighters-now-updated-high-thrust-ws-15-engines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3341693/are-chinas-j-20a-stealth-fighters-now-updated-high-thrust-ws-15-engines?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:12:13 +0000 Seong Hyeon Choi Seong Hyeon Choi Reported discussions between Riyadh and Islamabad over a potential deal involving fighter jets co-developed by China and Pakistan could be a “big win” for Beijing’s arms exports to the Gulf region, analysts said. However, doubts remained over whether such an agreement would actually proceed on the grounds that the JF-17 was in such marked contrast to Saudi Arabia’s Western-centric air force. A Reuters report on Thursday that cited two Pakistani sources said Islamabad and Riyadh were in talks for... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3339553/chinese-arms-exporters-may-be-big-winners-any-pakistan-saudi-jf-17-talks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3339553/chinese-arms-exporters-may-be-big-winners-any-pakistan-saudi-jf-17-talks?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 06:29:32 +0000 Holly Chik Holly Chik China is set to supercharge the advanced J-20 stealth fighter with avionics upgrades to its radar, engines and AI integration to cement the fifth-generation jet’s pivotal position in aerial warfare, a military analyst told state media. The Mighty Dragon, China’s answer to the American F-22 Raptor, was also effectively operating alongside the country’s stealth attack drone and early warning aircraft, military commentator Zhang Xuefeng told state broadcaster CCTV in a programme on Saturday. Sunday... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3339481/china-set-supercharge-fifth-gen-j-20-stealth-fighter-radar-engine-and-ai-upgrades?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3339481/china-set-supercharge-fifth-gen-j-20-stealth-fighter-radar-engine-and-ai-upgrades?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Jan 2026 10:00:16 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen Pakistan is selling warplanes it jointly developed with China to the Libyan National Army (LNA), a move analysts said could serve as a gateway for Beijing to expand its influence into North Africa. In one of Pakistan’s largest-ever arms deals, 16 of the JF-17 “Thunder” fighters were listed among the over US$4 billion worth of military equipment sold to the force led by Khalifa Hifter, which controls the east of the country. The deal included other land, sea and air equipment, such as 12 Super... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3337888/china-pakistan-warplane-deal-libyan-faction-may-help-expand-beijings-influence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3337888/china-pakistan-warplane-deal-libyan-faction-may-help-expand-beijings-influence?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Dec 2025 14:00:08 +0000 Stephen Chen Stephen Chen When it comes to building next-generation stealth jets, experience is the foundation of speed, reliability and combat readiness. Handing this critical job to a company with no stealth fighter experience could significantly delay progress and hand competitors a strategic gift. This is an open message from Yang Shuifeng, a lead designer of China’s cutting-edge stealth fighters. “The experience and capability of the research and development team cannot start from zero,” Yang, senior engineer and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3336210/win-without-fight-how-china-fast-tracked-j-36-left-us-years-behind-sixth-gen-jet-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3336210/win-without-fight-how-china-fast-tracked-j-36-left-us-years-behind-sixth-gen-jet-race?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Dec 2025 13:00:10 +0000 SCMP SCMP This article was first published on November 30, 2015. By Sijia Jiang After 13 years, China’s own passenger jet enters service China’s ambition of an indigenous plane took wings on Sunday (November 29, 2015) as its first home-grown passenger jet, the Comac ARJ21 (later rebranded as the C909), entered commercial service after 13 years in the making. Configured with 90 economy-class seats, the jet was delivered to its launch customer, Chengdu Airlines, from Comac’s Shanghai factory and flown to... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3333513/chinas-first-home-grown-passenger-jet-comac-arj21-debuts-2015-scmp-archive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3333513/chinas-first-home-grown-passenger-jet-comac-arj21-debuts-2015-scmp-archive?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Nov 2025 05:30:09 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang Notable changes have been observed in both of China’s sixth-generation fighter programmes, with updated prototypes seen flying just 10 months after their first public appearance, indicating rapid progress as the country vies with the US for air supremacy. Photos circulating on Chinese social media since Tuesday showed what appeared to be Chengdu Aircraft Corporation’s sixth-generation fighter, bearing a tailless and three-engine design, conducting a test flight. Unofficially referred to as the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3331234/chinas-updated-6th-generation-fighter-jets-put-us-notice-air-supremacy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3331234/chinas-updated-6th-generation-fighter-jets-put-us-notice-air-supremacy?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Nov 2025 14:00:17 +0000 Amy Chew Amy Chew Indonesia is still “considering” acquiring Chinese J-10 fighter jets, but no decision has been made yet, according to Jakarta’s Ministry of Defence, clarifying earlier reports that the country was set to buy up to 42 units to modernise its military. “It’s still being analysed and reviewed. At the moment, we are considering all platforms that can fulfil our need to help guard our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” ministry spokesman Brigadier General Frega Wenas Inkiriwang said. On October... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3330979/indonesia-still-considering-buying-chinese-j-10-fighter-jets-modernise-its-military?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3330979/indonesia-still-considering-buying-chinese-j-10-fighter-jets-modernise-its-military?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2025 02:00:16 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang While the world’s air forces are racing to build sixth-generation stealth fighters, it was an older model that made the headlines earlier this month. A Chinese J-16, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter, was reported by state media to have intercepted two unidentified foreign warplanes near China’s east coast and to have performed a barrel roll over one of the planes. Reports said it may have got as close as 10 metres (33 feet) to the other plane during the manoeuvre last year, which was only... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3330388/why-chinas-j-16-hidden-dragon-now-making-headlines-despite-rise-more-advanced-jets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3330388/why-chinas-j-16-hidden-dragon-now-making-headlines-despite-rise-more-advanced-jets?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:00:17 +0000 Ronny P. Sasmita Ronny P. Sasmita Indonesia’s decision to purchase 42 Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets marks more than a military procurement; it reinforces Jakarta’s strategic outlook and signals a broader shift in Asia’s defence dynamics. Under President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia is charting a defence modernisation course that reflects both ambition and pragmatism in a multipolar world. The deal, worth roughly US$9 billion, follows Indonesia’s earlier contracts with France for the Rafale and with Turkey for the KAAN stealth... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3329747/what-indonesias-purchase-chinese-j-10-jets-means-asian-defence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3329747/what-indonesias-purchase-chinese-j-10-jets-means-asian-defence?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Oct 2025 01:30:11 +0000 Seong Hyeon Choi Seong Hyeon Choi Indonesia’s top defence official says his country is set to acquire China’s J-10 fighter jets, possibly making it the second foreign military to operate the model after Pakistan. Such a deal would also mark the first purchase of Chinese-made warplanes by Indonesia as it seeks to modernise its military. Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said on Wednesday that Indonesia would soon buy the J-10 fighter jets as part of its plans for military modernisation, according to the country’s national news... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3329221/indonesia-set-buy-chinese-j-10-fighter-jets-amid-push-modernise-military-minister?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3329221/indonesia-set-buy-chinese-j-10-fighter-jets-amid-push-modernise-military-minister?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2025 07:03:41 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen From Nigerian raids on Boko Haram hideouts to Saudi strikes at Houthi positions along the shores of the Red Sea; from Pakistani sorties across the Iranian frontier to Libyan missiles in the civil war, one constant presence emerges – China’s Wing Loong-2 (WL-2), showcasing the reach of Chinese drone technology across multiple conflict zones. At the same time, a variant of the same platform – the GJ-2 or “Attack 2” – is conducting live-fire exercises around Taiwan and patrolling the South China... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3321451/chinas-wing-loong-2-multi-role-uav-workhorse-overseas-advantage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3321451/chinas-wing-loong-2-multi-role-uav-workhorse-overseas-advantage?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Aug 2025 01:00:13 +0000