Two new stealth fighter prototypes. A new long-range airlifter. New drones, attack helicopters, radar planes and spy planes. The pace of Chinese air power advancements in the last three years far outstrips aerospace developments in other countries.
Now add to the list the J-16, a new twin-engine, twin-seat jet fighter-bomber based on the Russian Su-30MK. Big and powerful, with a heavy weapons load and a combat range of hundreds of miles, the J-16 could become a main front-line combatant of the Chinese Air Force and Navy, possibly bridging the gap between China’s older jets and whatever stealth models eventually enter service.
The apparent first photo allegedly showing a J-16 in flight was posted to the Chinese Internet in early January. That J-16 carries the nose number “1601," indicating it is the first prototype.
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