See the fighter jets, attack drones, and other high-tech military aircraft at China’s largest airshow

Contrails extend from the wings of a J-35A fighter jet during training in Zhuhai, China.

A number of China’s advanced fighter jets and aircraft took to the skies at its largest airshow this week.

In its 15th iteration, the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China, is a biennial six-day exhibition in Zhuhai, which began Tuesday and will run until Sunday.

The government-supported airshow is set to showcase the People’s Liberation Army’s advancing aerospace capabilities, performing impressive aerial displays that were obscured by smog from the country’s air pollution on its opening day.

A day after the PLA Air Force’s 75th anniversary, China’s largest airshow kicked off with the debut of its newest fifth-generation stealth aircraft, the J-35A.

Here are some of the advanced fighter jets and systems that China put on display to show its aerial ambitions.

J-35A stealth fighter

A J-35A stealth fighter jet flies during the airshow in Zhuhai, China.

In a highly anticipated debut, China unveiled its newest multirole stealth fighter, the J-35A, making its first public appearance after more than a decade of development.

China is the second nation after the US to have two stealth fighters in service. The J-35A is equipped with the Chinese-designed WS-19 engine, which is thought to operate more efficiently than the Russian-made engines used in the rest of its fleet.

Designed for air superiority and combat missions, China officials said the land-based, twin-engine fighter features radar-evading capabilities and advanced intelligence and stealth technology.

The J-35A is intended to act as a “basketball point guard,” able to “form a killing network on the battlefield and play a more important role,” Wang Yongqing, a senior expert at the design institute part of the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the state-owned developer of the J-35A.

Chinese state media reported that testing is underway for a future carrier-based variant of the J-35, potentially to compete with the US for air dominance at sea.

The J-35A bears a striking resemblance in name and design to the US-made F-35A Lightning II, developed by American defense contractor Lockheed Martin. The Chinese stealth fighter could garner arms sales and clout for Beijing should it go ahead with an export version, rivaling Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 Felon jet and Lockheed’s F-35A.

J-20S stealth fighter

A model of the J-20S two-seat stealth fighter jet on display at the aviation exhibition in Zhuhai, China.

The PLA Air Force’s first stealth jet, the Chengdu J-20, has previously made an appearance at Airshow China with stunning aerobatic performances.

Unlike the F-35A, the PLAAF’s J-20 fleet is equipped with Russian-made engines, which China has relied on after earlier attempts to produce its own aircraft engines domestically were unsuccessful.

The Zhuhai airshow featured a mockup display of a two-seat variant of the Chinese stealth fighter, the J-20S, developed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China.

The second crew member could control and coordinate uncrewed aerial vehicles from the sky or handle other tasks, such as weapons release or navigation.

J-15T carrier-based fighter

A J-15T and J-15D aircraft fly side-by-side during the Zhuhai airshow.

Along with the J-35A, China also debuted an updated variant of its naval fighter, the J-15T — a single-seat carrier-based air superiority jet that can also perform ground attack and anti-ship missions.

The modernized multirole fighter was reportedly under development as early as July 2016, when its first prototype had its maiden flight. Compared to its predecessors in the J-15 series, the J-15T features new avionics, a Chinese-made engine, and catapult launch compatibility.

Prior to its public debut in Airshow China, the PLA Navy released photos of the J-15T aircraft participating in its first-ever dual carrier operation with its two flattops, Liaoning and Shandong, in the South China Sea.

The carrier-borne aircraft can operate from China’s most advanced flattop, the Fujian, which is one of only two carriers in the world equipped with electromagnetic catapults. The other is the US Navy’s latest carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford.

Su-57 stealth fighter

A Russian Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jet takes off during the Zhuhai airshow.

The China Airshow didn’t just put its own military airpower on display.

In its first public overseas appearance, Russia debuted its most advanced fighter jet, the Sukhoi Su-57, at the Chinese aerospace exhibition.

The historic showcase was likely included not only to signal Chinese-Russian relations but also to boost the aircraft’s image in the global export market after Western sanctions hindered its production.

However, Russia’s fifth-generation warbird was mocked on Chinese social media, as users compared it unfavorably to the domestically-built J-20.

J-16D electronic warfare fighter

The J-16D, China’s electronic warfare aircraft, taxies on the flight line in Zhuhai, China.

While the China Airshow featured several highly anticipated aircraft debuts, it also included performances by flagship PLAAF fighters like the Shenyang J-16.

Derived from the Russian Su-27 jet design, the iconic twin-seat strike fighter is equipped with a 30mm single-barrel autocannon and 12 external mounting points to carry fuel tanks, equipment, or various weapons, such as missiles, rockets, and guided bombs.

During the airshow, the J-16 wowed spectators with complex aerial maneuvers, including low-altitude circling, vertical climbing, and barrel rolls.

Attack and reconnaissance drone

A Jiutian SS-UAV model is on display at the Zhuhai International Air Show Center in China.

With drones playing an increasingly significant role in modern warfare, particularly in a possible war scenario over Taiwan, the China Airshow featured a new “drone zone” to showcase the country’s ambitions.

The first-time exhibit displayed the Jiutian SS-UAV, a massive 22,000-pound, jet-powered drone carrier that can rapidly deploy swarms of smaller UAVs for intelligence gathering, electronic warfare, and strike missions.

The drone mothership has already been reported in regional hot spots, including the South China Sea, the Taiwan Straight, and the China-India border, per the South China Morning Post.

CH-7 drone

Visitors observe a CH-7 drone model on display at an exhibition in Zhuhai, China.

China unveiled a new model of its mysterious long-range stealth drone, the Caihong-7 or CH-7, designed for intelligence, surveillance, and strike missions.

Developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, a full-scale mockup of the combat uncrewed aerial vehicle (UCAV) first appeared at the China Airshow in 2018.

The Chinese drone drew comparisons to the short-lived X-47B UCAV, which was developed by American aerospace and defense company Northrop Grumman to prove that computer-controlled drones could land on an aircraft carrier.

Shi Wen, the chief engineer of the CH-series of drones, said in 2018 that the aircraft can “fly long hours, scout and strike the target when necessary.”

A 2022 model of the drone was reported to have a 33-foot wingspan, a top speed of 575 mph, and a maximum takeoff payload weight of 22,000 pounds.

The 2024 iteration of the CH-7 has design similarities to the US Air Force’s B-21 Raider, a stealth bomber in development by Northrop Grumman.

Chinese state media reported that the CH-7 is expected to complete testing and development this year. Prior to the 2024 model’s debut at the airshow, photos showed the CH-7 with a bright yellow paint job on a runway, though it is unclear if it was a prototype or a pre-production model.

Z-20 armed utility helicopter

A Chinese Harbin Z-20 utility helicopter flies during an exhibition.

China unveiled its upgraded Z-20 armed helicopter at the airshow, a potential solution to the Chinese navy’s shortfalls in defending its warships from undersea attacks.

The PLAN showcased its naval variant of the medium-lift utility helicopter, the Z-20F, which is the first armed assault version of the aircraft. The Pentagon noted the development of the naval version of the Z-20 in a report released last October, likening the attack helicopter to the US Navy’s SH-60 Seahawk, manufactured by Lockheed-owned Sikorsky Aircraft.

“The Z-20F is similar to the US Navy’s SH-60 and will provide significant improvements in ASW (anti-submarine warfare) capabilities over the smaller … helicopters the PLAN currently operates,” per the Pentagon report.

Collin Koh, a research fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies in Singapore, said the PLAN’s Z-8 helicopter was too heavy and the Z-9 too light to effectively counter submarine attacks. Therefore, the Z-20 is “the answer” to the fleet’s undersea vulnerabilities, he told Reuters.

The long-anticipated fourth-generation military helicopter is equipped with advanced sensors and external hardpoints for weaponry and other payloads, such as additional fuel for aerial refueling.

“The entry into service of the Z-20F will effectively extend the operational distance for antisubmarine combat for destroyers and corvettes,” a Taiwanese military journal wrote.