Our People's Liberation ArmyAir ForceThere is currently a huge challenge with more than 400 warplanes on the verge of retirement. These fighters include Su-27 series fighters, J-11A fighters, J-7 fighters, J-8 fighters and J-7 fighters. In the next five years or so, these fighters need to be gradually replaced to update the equipment of our fighters.
The PLA's Flanker family fighters are one of the major categories, which are mainly divided into two systems. One is a warplane imported directly from Russia, includingSu-27skSu-27ubSu-30mkkSu-30MK2withSu-35sand other models; The other system is China's self-developed Flanker family fighters, such as J-11A, J-11B, J-15 and J-16 models. These fighters have been in service for more than 30 years, and facing retirement is inevitable. People's Liberation ArmyAir ForceOther fighters, such as the J-7 and J-8 series fighters, are also facing the fate of retirement. Most of these fighters are late-improved models produced in the late 90s and have been in service for more than 20 years, and some have even been in service for more than 25 years. In addition, the J-7 fighter will also begin to be retired one after another, which is a fighter-bomber developed in China in the 80s, and is currently the only fighter-bomber in service with the PLA.
These more than 400 fighters need to be updated for our countryAir ForceThe troops brought enormous pressure. So, let's take a look at what fighters our country will produce in the future to replace these old fighters.
In order to meet the replacement of future fighters, our countryAir ForceThree new fighters will be mainly used: J-20, J-16 andJ-10C。These three fighters are known as the "Three Musketeers" and will become the People's Liberation ArmyAir Force's main equipment.
First of allJ-20 fighterIt was independently developed by our countryFifth-generation fighter, with stealth and high mobility. Since the beginning of service in 2017,J-20 fighterIt has been put into actual combat training and combat missions and has become the People's Liberation ArmyAir Forceimportant power. Due to its advantages of low maintenance cost and high frequency of useJ-20 fighterwill become our countryAir ForceWorkhorseFightersimportant components.
And then there'sJ-16 fighter, which is also an advanced oneFightersJ-16 fighterIn terms of design, the excellent features of the Su-27 and Su-30 were borrowed, and improvements and upgrades were made. It has all-weather combat capabilities, ultra-long-range strike capabilities, and high mobility, making it suitable for a wide range of combat missions. J-16 fighterSerial production has already begun, and gradually equips the PLAAir Forcein the troops.
And finallyJ-10CThe fighter was independently developed by our countryThird-generation fighterJ-10CThe fighter is inJ-10A fighterIt has been improved and upgraded on the basis of the foundation, and has a stronger comprehensive combat capability. J-10CThe number of fighters equipped is also constantly increasing and will become the PLAAir ForceThese three fighters will gradually take over the combat mission of the old fighters and improve our countryAir Forcelevel of modernization and combat capabilities.
In addition to the above three fighters, there are some other developments that may replace fighters. For example, J35 fightersThe finalization process is currently underway, and it can also be used as an alternative fighter option if it is successfully finalized and mass production begins in the next 5 years.
In general, in the coming years, our countryAir ForceThere will be tremendous pressure to replace more than 400 old fighters. J-20, J-16 andJ-10CFighters will become the main equipment and take on air combat missions. Other possible replacement fighters, such as the J35 fightersIt's also evolving. The armament of these new fighters will upgrade our countryAir Forcefurther strengthen China's national defense strength.