China operationalises its stealth fighter, tested in Tibet

Image
Press Trust of India Beijing
Last Updated : Mar 10 2017 | 7:42 PM IST
China has operationalised its first stealth aircraft and tested it in the rugged Tibet region for its endurance in high altitude, a development that will have major implications for India.
A video footage from state-run CCTV Channel 7 today showed J-20 fighters joining the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) with Y-20 transport planes and H-6K bombers.
CCTV did not say how many J-20 fighter jets were serving in the air force, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported today.
J-20 fighters is regarded as major breakthrough for China which is moderninsing its military in a big way.
It is otherwise mostly reliant on Russian aircraft, including advanced versions of Sukoi like the Indian Airforce.
India is yet to havestealthaircraft which can penetrate through enemy radars.
The airing of the video coincides with the current annual session of China's Parliament.
Highlighting J-20 features, an official in the PLAAF told media in Zhuhai last year that "J-20 contains many of China's top technologies instealthaircraft plus other military secrets."
"The secrets include the J-20's body shape, the proportion of its wing and body and other secrets as aircraft experts can easily calculate itsstealthparameters from its exterior," the official was quoted as saying.
However, experts said perhaps a small number of aircraft may have been made ready.
Macau-based military observer Antony Wong Dong said that it was likely that just a small number of J-20 jets had been produced due to engine problems.
"The J-20 has not yet entered mass production progress, and now just a few limited aircraft are able to serve in the air force, similar to the Y-20," he said.
Earlier J-20 which was displayed at China's biggest air show at Zhuhai last November made waves in India when its photographs at an airport in Tibet were published.
Reacting to media reports, China's stealth fighter J-20
spotted at the Daocheng Yading Airport inTibetan article on the PLA website in September last year said the plane will be put into service soon but the 'China-India border is apparently not the ideal place for its deployment'.
"In addition, the world's highest airport there does not have a complete set of supporting facilities and such shortage will impede the function of J-20," the report said.
"J-20 will not be deployed in Daocheng Yading airport as the airport is too close to the border and it is vulnerable to India's first wave hit. If India is to deploy BrahMos missile on the China-India border, then the Daocheng Yading airport will likely to become its target," it said.
"Experts pointed out that for India, China is undoubtedly its largest opponent and therefore every move of the Chinese military will touch the nerve of Indian media. However, the Indian military has more movements than China along the China-India border," it said.
The average height of Tibet Autonomous Region is more than 4,000 m above sea level, for which Tibet is known as the 'roof of the world'.
AlsoPakistan, the largest importer of Chinese arms has said earlier that it is in talks with China to buy the FC-31 an export variant of the same aircraft.
The FC-31 was briefly flown in the 2014 Zhuhai airshow.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 10 2017 | 7:42 PM IST

Next Story