China's main fighter jet could be used to deter the US near Taiwan

Based on the serial numbers of the aircraft that appeared in the exercises, military experts believe that the PLAAF has secretly added more J-16s to its squadrons, a sign that this fighter model will play a major role in China's future combat capabilities, especially in a conflict scenario near Taiwan, according toSCMP.

The J-16 is a multi-role fighter jet made by China, based on a design copied from the Su-27 and Su-30MKK lines purchased from Russia. Some aviation experts assess the J-16 as being as powerful as the Russian Su-30M2 and the American F-15E Strike Eagle, thanks to its ability to accurately attack ground targets.

The J-16 was introduced in 2013, but only made its public debut in a military parade marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army in the middle of last year. Beijing operates at least three brigades of J-16 fighters, which are considered one of the future pillars of the country's air force.

The J-16 is the first fighter jet that can carry a full range of Chinese-made weapons, including anti-ship missiles, air-to-air missiles, land-attack cruise missiles, satellite-guided smart bombs, and electronic countermeasures (ECM). China's new fighter jet can perform a variety of missions, including air superiority, ground attack, and anti-ship missions.

The J-16 series uses the design mainly from the Su-30MKK fighter, but is equipped with a radar system and tracks domestic targets of China. The ability to refuel in the air increases its combat radius, allowing it to carry out strikes deep inside enemy territory.

China is also developing an electronic warfare variant, the J-16D, suspected of being copied from the US EA-18G Growler fighter.

Photos released in 2015 showed that the 30mm cannon and infrared tracking system (IRST) had been removed, indicating that the J-16D was not built for close-range dogfighting. Instead, it was fitted with a series of antennas and electronic warfare equipment along the fuselage. The nose was shortened and redesigned to accommodate a modern active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

The J-16D's wing-mounted electronic warfare pods are quite similar to the AN/ALQ-218 on the EA-18G Growler. This is an electromagnetic sensor that can analyze frequencies and locate radio transmitters, thereby jamming and locking on targets. It is likely that the J-16D's airframe is optimized for anti-radar missiles, and can carry up to three jamming pods under the wings and fuselage. Each device will be used to counter a different radar frequency band, as well as applying AESA technology.

The J-16D's electronic warfare capabilities are seen by China as key to winning a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, as suppressing enemy air defense systems in the early stages of a war is crucial.

When fully loaded with electronic warfare equipment, the J-16D still has six weapon hardpoints to equip three different types of anti-radar missiles (ARMs) that China currently possesses: CM-103, YJ-91 and LD-10. The J-16D can also carry basic air-to-air weapons such as PL-9 and PL-12 missiles.

In air operations, experts Jeffrey Lin and PW Singer believe that the J-16D will protect bomber and fighter squadrons by jamming and suppressing enemy air defenses. Designed on a fighter platform, it can still defend itself and protect other aircraft from enemy fighters.

Experts say the J-16's large payload and increased combat radius could help the PLAAF shift from a defensive to an offensive strategy.

The arrival of the J-16 will significantly increase the PLAAF’s combat range. It will also help China fill the gap before mass production of fifth-generation fighters.

Adam Ni, a China expert at the Australian National University (ANU), said that the J-16 deployment could give Beijing the ability to defend its airspace in peacetime and carry out long-range air strikes in the event of war.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory awaiting reunification, even by force. In recent months, the PLAAF has regularly sent fighter jets and strategic bombers to patrol around Taiwan, but the J-16 has not yet participated in this mission.

Military analyst Song Zhongping said the drills in early August were just a stepping stone for the PLAAF to put the J-16 into combat readiness. "It will take more time to perfect, not only the aircraft itself but also the coordination plan, how to integrate it into the combat network with other aircraft on the same mission," Song said.

"The J-16 will replace the Su-30MKK in the 3rd Fighter Division, the unit responsible for missions in the Taiwan and East China Sea areas. We will soon see J-16 fighters patrolling around Taiwan island," said expert Antony Wong Dong.