China's new stealth fighter jet takes off in Zhuhai

Ayra Wang and Agencies

China's new stealth fighter jet, the J-35A, debuted at the country's biggest civil and military air show in Zhuhai yesterday, making it the second country in the world after the United States to be equipped with two stealth fighter jets.

This came as the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition kicked off in Zhuhai, with more than 890 companies from 47 countries and regions joining the event that will last until Sunday.

Video from state media showed the warplane rearing up into the air, engines roaring, before flipping upside down and speeding away as spectators on the ground excitedly cheered.

Military expert Song Xinzhi said the public appearance of the J-35A at the air show indicated that it is ready to enter service in the People's Liberation Army Air Force.

"J-35A's engine has a thrust of over 20 tons, which is a huge improvement and marks a breakthrough in the performance of the country's medium-sized stealth fighter," Song said.

The J-35A, along with its carrier-based variant J-35, which was also displayed at the air show, were designed and built by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, a unit of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China.

It is lighter than China's existing model, the J-20 and looks more similar in design to the US stealth fighter F-35.

This will make China the only country other than the US to be equipped with two stealth fighters.

State news agency Xinhua quoted military expert Wang Mingzhi as saying the two models greatly enhance the "ability to conduct offensive operations in high-threat and contested environments."

The country's military also showcased the upgraded medium-life utility helicopter Z-20.

Meanwhile, jet maker Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China said yesterday that Air China was the first customer for the C929 wide-body aircraft under development and it has also rebranded its ARJ21 regional jet as the C909.