The Chinese J-16 fighter jets are in service with People's Liberation Army Air Force. The aircraft have an electronic flight control system as well as a modified AESA radar. They can simultaneously track surface and aerial targets. Additionally, they can be operated in all weather conditions. These fighters are also capable of carrying out air-to–air or air–to–ground combat operations.
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation created the J-16 as a fourth-generation Chinese twin engine strike fighter. It was built from the Soviet-era Su-30 Flanker aircraft. The J-16 is equipped with an advanced electronically scanned radar and a glass cockpit that allows it to engage and detect targets in real-time. Moreover, the PL-10 air-to-air missile has high sensitivity and thrust vector control. This weapon can hit multiple air targets reliably, including helicopters and antiaircraft missiles.
According to the Royal United Services Institute the J-16 is China’s most capable multi-role fighter. The aircraft is currently being manufactured in large quantities. By 2019, China plans to build at least 90 of these aircraft. Analysts believe that the aircraft is responding to India's Dassault Rafale fighters. The aircraft isn't yet ready to replace current Su-30MKI/Su-27UBK models.
China deployed 39 warplanes recently into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone. The aircraft included 24 J-16s. The fighters engaged in mock combat with the enemy during this time. While the J-20 and J-16 jets flew head-to-head, the J-20 was able to escape the attack.
Chinese state media has reported about the J-16's superiority. The J-16 is said to be superior to the Su-30. Jiang Jiaji is a PLAAF pilot who won three Golden Helmet awards. He has conducted ground attacks with rocket projectiles. On CCTV in early 2019, he stated that the J-16 is covered with silver-gray paint.
A number of experts have warned that the aircraft is ahead of Russia in many aspects of aircraft development. Some experts have claimed that China intends to reverse-engineer Su-35's engines. It isn't clear if China can make enough engines to power the J-15 or J-16 fighters.
J-16 is a new Chinese twin-engine attack fighter. Shenyang Aircraft Corporation developed it. They also have the J-11. The J-16 was based on the J-11 and has the ability to detect and engage targets in real time. The aircraft has successfully completed numerous test flight missions, and is currently in production.
The People's Liberation Army Air Force will be intensifying efforts to replace the aging fighter aircraft. Several hundred fighters are in active service, and it is hoped that these aircraft will be able to take on Indian and Russian combat aircraft. To make the aircraft more reliable, China has invested in new engines and electronic warfare capabilities. China will need to slow down the production of the jet, even though the new engines have not been fully developed.
Twenty years ago, the Soviet Union's success was repeated by the Chinese aviation industry. J-16s and fighters were deployed by the Chinese airforce into the airspace in Taiwan, a breakaway province.