The Chinese J-16 fighter planes are currently in service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force. The aircraft are equipped both with an electronic control system and a modified AESA radio. They can track both aerial and surface targets simultaneously. Additionally, they can be operated in all weather conditions. These fighters can also perform air-to-air and air-to-ground combat operations.
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation developed the J-16 as a fourth generation Chinese twin-engine striker fighter. It is built on the basis of the Soviet-era Su-30 Flanker jet. With the advanced electronically scanned array radar and a glass cockpit, the J-16 has the ability to detect and engage targets in real time. The PL-10 airto-air weapon has high sensitivity, and thrust vector control. This weapon can hit multiple air targets reliably, including helicopters and antiaircraft missiles.
The Royal United Services Institute claims that the J-16 is China’s most versatile multi-role fighter. The aircraft is currently in mass production. By 2019, China plans to build at least 90 of these aircraft. Many analysts believe this aircraft is being built to counter India's Dassault Rafale fighters. The aircraft is not yet ready for replacement of the Su-30MKI/Su-27UBK current units.
China deployed 39 warplanes recently into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone. There were 24 J-16s on the aircraft. During this period the fighters engaged into mock battles against the enemy. The J-20, J-16 and J-20 jets flew head on but the J-20 was still able to escape from the attack.
Chinese state media reported on J-16's capabilities. According to some, the J-16 is more powerful than the Su-30. Jiang Jiaji (a PLAAF pilot who was awarded three Golden Helmets) has reported that he has performed ground attack exercises using rocket projectiles. He stated on CCTV that the J-16 was covered in silver-gray paint, as he saw it.
Experts have stated that Russia is far ahead in aircraft development. Some experts have claimed that China intends to reverse-engineer Su-35's engines. However, it's not clear if China will be able to produce enough engines for J-15 and J-16 fighters.
J-16 is the latest generation of twin-engine Chinese strike fighters. Shenyang Aircraft Corporation was responsible for the development of this new generation of Chinese twin-engine strike fighters. The J-16 is a derivative of the J-11. It can detect and engage target in real-time. The aircraft has successfully completed numerous test flight missions, and is currently in production.
People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAF) is intensifying its efforts to replace aging fighter jets. Many hundred fighters are currently active and will soon be able to fight against Indian and Russian combat aircraft. China has invested in new engines as well as electronic warfare capabilities to increase the aircraft's reliability. 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 had a successful aviation industry. J-16s and other fighters have been deployed by the Chinese air force into the airspace of Taiwan's breakaway province.