China is accelerating the deployment of J-16 fighters, and its strategic intentions have attracted much attention
A large number of J-16 fighters are accelerating out of the production line and stationed on Woody Island, which has raised widespread concern about our intentions.
Recently, the number of J-16 fighters in China seems to have ushered in a significant increase, which has attracted widespread attention. Many people interpret this move as the Chinese Air Force is preparing for a large-scale, high-intensity, and high-modernization war. In order to ensure that China's Air Force has sufficient capabilities to deal with any complex situation, in addition to mass-producing and equipping J-16 fighters, more advanced J-20 fighters have also begun to gradually join the combat readiness sequence.
But compared with the J-20, it seems that the J-16 fighter will play a more important role in the future air force combat structure. As a twin-engine, two-seat multi-role heavy fighter upgraded from the J-11, the J-16 is considered to be the most powerful multi-role heavy fighter in China. Compared to the J-20, the J-16 has some advantages. Although it is slightly inferior in stealth performance, in terms of power performance, carrying capacity and overall combat capability, the J-16 and the J-20 are neck and neck.
Compared with the J-20, which is mainly used for air combat, the J-16 is more suitable for a variety of combat missions, so it is a more cost-effective choice. The J-16 not only has a powerful sea-to-air strike capability, but also can become a powerful electronic warfare aircraft when equipped with an active phased array radar and an electronic warfare pod.
Especially after the introduction of the Air Police 500 and Air Police 3000 in China, it can effectively make up for the shortcomings of the J-16 in stealth performance. In the foreseeable future, the J-16 will become the most suitable fighter for mass production and equipping troops in our country. In the event of a conflict, the J-16 will play a central role. At present, China has deployed important fighters such as the J-16 to the surrounding hot spots, demonstrating its important national defense strength.
The deployment of J-16 fighters on Woody Island reveals China's strategic layout in the South China Sea
Recently, CCTV suddenly broadcast the footage of the J-16 fighter landing on Yongxing Island in Xisha in the South China Sea. The number of J-16s stationed on Woody Island this time is quite considerable, and considering the construction of the hangar at Woody Island Airport, these J-16 fighters will become the permanent garrison of Woody Island. Although the official information indicates that it is at an airport in the South China Sea, it is obvious from the picture that it is Woody Island. The large-scale deployment of J-16 fighters to Woody Island clearly reflects China's cautious deployment of the future situation in the South China Sea.
Not long ago, there was a fierce confrontation between a Chinese coast guard ship and a Philippine coast guard ship near Second Thomas Shoal. In addition, our country has also sent tugboats to prepare to tow away the dilapidated landing ship that has been stranded in the Philippines for many years. The Philippines has directly invited the United States to set up four additional military bases on its territory, an act that has undoubtedly exacerbated regional security uncertainties.
In order to ensure absolute security in the South China Sea, China needs high-end fighters like the J-16 to be stationed. It is reported that the combat radius of the J-16 can reach 1,850 kilometers, and the Woody Island deployed in the Paracel Islands is enough to fully cover the entire South China Sea. In the event of a problem, the J-16 can reach the sea area in the shortest possible time.
Compared with other fighters, the J-16 is undoubtedly the most suitable model for this region. It has a strong sea-to-air strike capability, and at the same time has demonstrated excellent ability to drive away foreign aircraft in peacetime. Earlier, this was confirmed by the air confrontation of the J-16 with the American RC135 reconnaissance aircraft.
From a long-term perspective, the J-16 is China's most powerful in the South China Sea. The islands and reefs in the hands of our country will become the best combat platform.
Changes in the sea situation: China has many "unsinkable" aircraft carrier-level islands and reefs
In recent years, China's actions in the South China Sea have shown important strategic significance, especially the conventional deployment of J-16 fighters on Woody Island, which has far-reaching significance. Normally, fighters need suitable take-off and landing platforms to perform tasks in sea space, and aircraft carriers are particularly important at this time. In the past, when China encountered problems in the South China Sea, it often relied on aircraft carriers to rush to the sea to carry out missions. The continuous deployment of the J-16 on Woody Island and other islands and reefs indicates that China has a more solid air base in the South China Sea, and can even be regarded as an "unsinkable" aircraft carrier.
Our actions in the South China Sea have been guided by a clear plan and timetable. In the last century, China countered aggression through small-scale maritime operations and recaptured many islands and reefs in the Xisha Islands, Nansha Islands and Zhongsha Islands. In recent years, China has not only stationed permanent troops on these islands and reefs, but has also vigorously carried out reclamation projects to build islands, so that these places have the function of fighter planes taking off and landing.
Woody Island, for example, has not only a large military airfield, but also more than 400 buildings to deploy a large number of anti-aircraft and anti-ship equipment. Once there are major warships such as the 055 destroyer to provide support in wartime, with the islands and reefs in the South China Sea as the tactical core, China will quickly have multiple aircraft carrier formations. These aircraft carrier formations can be said to be unsinkable, and we will wait and see how more warships will go around the Nansha islands and reefs to carry out new tactical exercises.