China reveals J-16D and other aircraft at Zhuhai
29th September 2021 - 23:27 GMT | by Gordon Arthur in Christchurch
The J-16D, now in PLAAF service, made its public debut at the Zhuhai Air Show. (Chinese Internet)
China showed off new aircraft and missiles at the Zhuhai air show, including a twin-seat J-16D shown in public for the first time.
Several manned aircraft of interest were in attendance at the opening of China's premier air show, including the J-16D, J-20A powered by WS10C engines, and images of a future carrier fighter concept.
China opened the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai on 28 September, 11 months late because of COVID-19.
Beijing has never shown its J-11, J-15 or J-16 fighters at the Zhuhai Air Show before, perhaps because it would be embarrassing for Russian delegations to see Chinese knock-offs of the famous Su-27/Su-30 family.
However, the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) statically displayed a twin-seat J-16D