The Chinese J-16 fighter airplanes are serving with the People's Liberation Army Air Force. The aircraft come with an electronic flight control and a modified AESA-radar. They can track surface and air targets simultaneously. They can operate in any weather condition. These fighters are capable of performing air-to air and ground combat operations.
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation is the company that developed the J-16, a fourth-generation Chinese twinengine strike fighter. It is based on the Soviet-era Su-30 Flanker plane. The J-16's advanced electronically scanned antenna radar and a transparent cockpit allow it to detect and engage targets real-time. The PL-10 is an air-to-air missile with high sensitivity and thrust vector controls. This weapon can reliably hit a variety of air targets including anti-aircraft and helicopter missiles.
The Royal United Services Institute says that the J-16 Chinese multi-role fighter is the most advanced. The aircraft is currently in mass production. By 2019, China plans to build at least 90 of these aircraft. Many analysts believe the aircraft is in response to India's Dassault Rafale fighters. The aircraft will not replace the Su-30MKI and Su-27UBK currently in service.
China recently sent 39 warplanes into Taiwan’s air defense identification area. There were 24 J-16s in the fleet. During this period the fighters engaged into mock battles against the enemy. The J-20 and J-16 aircraft flew head to head, but the J-20 managed to escape the attack.
Chinese state media reported on J-16's capabilities. The J-16 is reportedly more capable than the Su-30. Jiang Jiaji, a PLAAF pilot who has won three Golden Helmet competitions, has reportedly conducted ground attack exercises 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. Many have suggested that China plans to reverse-engineer engines from the Su-35 jet. 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 was responsible for the development of this new generation of Chinese twin-engine strike fighters. The J-16 was based on the J-11 and has the ability to detect and engage targets in real time. The aircraft was in production at the end of 2014 after completing a number test flights.
The People's Liberation Army Air Force is stepping up efforts to replace the aging fighter jets. Many hundred fighters are currently active and will soon be able to fight against Indian and Russian combat aircraft. China has also invested in new engines, and electronic warfare capabilities to make the aircraft more reliable. China will have to slow down manufacturing of the jet for the time being, until the new engines can be fully developed.
Twenty years ago the Soviet Union had a successful aviation industry. J-16s, as well as other fighters, have been flown by the Chinese air force to the airspace of Taiwan's independent province.