A naukri.com initiative
Insider
1M
76
Image Credit: Insider
China just showed off its answer to America's F-35 stealth fighter — the new J-35A
- China has debuted its latest fifth-generation stealth aircraft, the J-35A, at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition.
- The jet features advanced stealth, informationisation, and networking capabilities and is China's answer to the American F-35 fighter jet.
- The reveal demonstrates China's ambition to modernise its military and challenge US military capabilities. China also unveiled a new version of the PL-15 air-to-air missile made for China's stealth fighters, as well as a two-seater J-20 fighter, at the exhibition.
- The J-35A, which is expected to operate as a "point guard" for Chinese airpower, is touted to offer advanced stealth and intelligence features, prioritising information warfare and collaboration with other aircraft.
- It is designed to perform missions such as air superiority, air-to-air engagements against fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, intercepts of fighters and bombers, air defence against cruise missiles, ground attack, and the suppression and destruction of enemy air defences.
- The J-35A bears similarity to the American F-35, with the twin-engine design as the main point of distinction.
- The American F-35 Lightning II has been dubbed the "quarterback" by some military officials. The J-35A, on the other hand, is described as a "basketball point guard" by its developer.
- Stealth aircraft are a priority for many militaries since they have been specifically designed with low-observable features that significantly reduce the size of their radar signatures, making them harder to detect and allowing them to penetrate enemy air defences.
- Beijing's military ambitions to challenge US military capabilities have been on Washington's radar for years now, with the Pentagon referring to China as its "pacing challenge".
- China's new aircraft release suggests that the US may have to prepare for possible conflict in the Indo-Pacific region.
Read Full Article
4 Likes
For uninterrupted reading, download the app