China Deploys New Fighter, The J10
Posted on: Jul. 27th, 2005 - www.flightinternational.comThe Department of Defense’s latest annual assessment of China’s military power says the indigenously developed Chengdu J-10 fighter is finally being fielded by the air force following completion of development last year. The Pentagon also says China last year renegotiated its agreement to licence-produce the Sukhoi Su-27MK as the J-11, enabling it to complete the remaining aircraft as multirole Su-27SMKs.
The report says China has nearly completed development and testing of an upgraded Xian JH-7 fighter/attack aircraft and that improvements include better radar, night-attack avionics and advanced weapons including anti-ship missiles. China is also pursuing domestic upgrades to its Shenyang J-8II fighters and the air force “appears interested in converting retired fighter aircraft into unmanned combat air vehicles”, the report says.
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