China test new stealth fighter jet Fujjan

Beijing, Sept 16: China is testing a new stealth fighter jet called J-35 to be deployed on its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult unlike the other two fitted with ski-jump take-off ramps, official media reported on Sunday.

A new type of warplane was tested earlier this year on the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, state-run Global Times quoted official broadcaster CCTV as saying.

It added that the new aircraft could be the long-expected J-35 – China’s next-generation carrier-borne stealth fighter jet.

China currently has two aircraft carriers, Liaoning, a refit of the Soviet-era ship, and Shandong, an indigenously built 2nd aircraft carrier commissioned in 2019.

China’s third aircraft carrier, Fujian, is larger than the two carriers, with a displacement of 80,000, and is currently undergoing trials.

It is the “first fully domestically developed and constructed” aircraft carrier with an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) similar to that of the American aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, official media reports said.

China’s other two aircraft carriers are equipped with ski-jump take-off ramps, while the Fujian features a flat-top flight deck.

China operates its indigenously built J-15 aircraft for its carriers.

Global Times quoted experts as saying that the CCTV report is an official confirmation that China now has a new-type carrier-borne aircraft ready for service.

The report also confirmed that the new warplane is operational not only on China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which is equipped with electromagnetic catapults but also on the previous two carriers, the ramp-equipped Liaoning and Shandong, experts said, noting that this will significantly boost the capabilities of Chinese aircraft carriers.

Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post newspaper reported that the J-35 is being developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation as China’s second fifth-generation fighter jet, following the J-20.

The jet is designed for use on aircraft carriers and is still in the development and prototype phase, but it is touted as the Chinese equivalent of Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation fighter jet, the F-35.

Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, told the Post that “one most straightforward assessment is that the Liaoning, which has long been designated as a test bed for PLA carrier capabilities, is conducting experiments on the J-35 as a viable carrier-borne fighter jet”. (PTI)

Hot this week

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Russian attacks on eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv kill 4, wound more than two dozen

Kyiv, Jun 7: Russian attacks targetting the eastern Ukrainian...

Eid-ul-Adha celebrated across country; Muslims pray at mosques

New Delhi, Jun 7: Eid-ul-Adha was celebrated across...

Rural youth should be trained to become agripreneurs: VP Dhankhar

Shimla, Jun 7: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday...

Assam floods: Toll rises to 23 even as affected population decreases

Guwahati, Jul 7: The overall flood situation in Assam...

Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City delegation explores spiritual roots, tech ties in Assam

Guwahati, June 7: A nine-member delegation from Bhutan’s Gelephu...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img