China's first stealth fighter enters service: media
[BEIJING] China has put its first stealth fighter into military service, state-run media reported on Friday, in the latest milestone highlighting the modernisation of the country's armed forces.
Swift, stealthy, and armed with long-range missiles, the J-20 represents a leap forward in China's ability to project power in Asia and potentially compete with the United States.
The fifth-generation stealth fighter made its public debut at the Zhuhai Air Show in southern China in November.
In a newscast on state broadcaster CCTV's military and agricultural affairs channel, an announcer said in a brief statement that the J-20 had "entered" service in the country's airforce.
The report was widely picked up by Chinese media outlets, which added photos of the fighter.
The J-20 is manufactured by China's state aerospace company AVIC, which is also working on a second fifth-generation radar-evading stealth fighter called the FC-31, previously known as the J-31.
It is billed as an answer to the US's F-35, one of the world's most technically advanced warplanes.
The television broadcast also said China had put into service its new Y-20 transport aircraft, which can move heavy loads and conduct airlifts in support of military operations.
China also recently sent its first aircraft carrier, an overhauled Ukrainian ship, for a debut voyage into the Pacific.
Beijing is seeking to modernise and upgrade its military both to protect its borders and project power into regions such as the South China Sea, a resource-rich strategic waterway where it has disputes with several neighbours.
AFP
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Transport & Logistics
Toyota and Nissan pair up with Tencent and Baidu for China AI arms race
China's largest auto show displays all-electric future, local brands dominate
Toyota hits record annual output, sales on robust demand
Nissan, Mazda roll out new models for China as they aim for comeback
VinFast chief plans to invest US$1 billion more from his fortune in EV maker
XPeng CEO says its software, AI upgrades to enter ‘super fast cycle’