China is likely to be commissioning more squads of a multi-role strike fighter on the border with India, Chinese state media reported for the first time, as the armies of the two countries invade and deploy the latest weapons along the Line of Control. Real (LAC) in the midst of the ongoing border confrontation.
The Western Theater Command (WTC) of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which is in charge of LAC, is said to be commissioning the J-16 fighter jet in the western regions of the country.
It appears to be part of the WTC’s efforts to improve the weaponry and logistics of its forces deployed throughout LAC.
“A brigade attached to the PLA WTC Air Force recently conducted a confrontational air-to-air combat exercise in order to examine and improve the unit’s comprehensive combat capability,” the state-backed nationalist tabloid Global Times reported citing an article on the official WeChat. PLA WTC account.
See also l How can India counter the China-Pakistan joint ‘mission’ amidst Ladakh tension?
The planes were tasked with “better safeguarding China’s territorial integrity in the western regions of the country.”
“This brigade is in a key period of change to use J-16 heavy fighter jets, and the goal is to complete the process by the end of the year,” the report says.
The J-16 is a third-generation fighter jet and more manufactured in China.
The reports did not mention the number of fighter jets to be ordered in the western sector; or what fighters they would replace.
Both the Indian and Chinese militaries have deployed troops and weaponry in addition to strengthening infrastructure in border areas throughout LAC amid the worst border tension with China in decades in eastern Ladakh, where soldiers from the two countries they have been locked in a confrontation since May.
The Indian Air Force is operating five newly purchased Rafale fighter jets in the Ladakh region.
Several rounds of talks at the diplomatic and military level have failed to resolve the situation and disconnect the troops.
The J-16 is inspired by a series of Russian fighter jets, but is equipped with Chinese equipment.
The combat aircraft is a twin-engine, two-seater multi-role combat aircraft that is also capable of air-to-air combat.
It made its debut during the Army Day parade on July 30, 2017 at the Zhurihe military training base in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
“Although it uses the classic aerodynamic design of the Russian Su-27, everything inside is Chinese, including WS-10 Taihang engines, an active array radar system and a new generation infrared sighting and aiming system,” he says. the WAC report, cited by Global Times. , said.
The J-16 is reportedly capable of carrying at least eight tons of weapons.
Although the J-20 is China’s most advanced fighter jet, the PLA Air Force still needs the J-16 as the two types of fighter jets can complement each other, Chinese military analysts previously said.
The fighter jet is painted with the latest version of “low-observable coatings,” which experts say are developed to reduce the chance that fighter jets will be detected by radar.
.
