CHINA’S J-20, J-16 FIGHTER JETS DISPLAYED

China’s latest J-20 stealth fighters made their parade debut on July 30 in north China, as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) staged a show of strength to mark its 90th founding anniversary. Three J-20 jets led an echelon formation consisting of 15 fighter aircraft flew past during the country’s first-ever Army Day parade. The J-20 is China’s indigenous fourth-generation medium and long-range fighter jet. It made its maiden flight in 2011 and was first publicly displayed at the 11th Airshow China in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, in November2016. Besides J-20, J-16 fighters and Y-20 heavy transport aircraft were also among the new aircraft displayed during the parade. The J-16 is a two-seat, dual-engine multi-role fighter with beyond-visual-range air-to-air and air-to-ship strike capabilities. The Y-20, a versatile plane with a maximum takeoff weight of about 200 tonnes, is designed to carry cargo and personnel over long distances in adverse weather conditions, and entered military service in July 2016.