China’s J-16D electronic warfare aircraft starts combat training with J-20 fighter
The J-16D electronic warfare aircraft deployed with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force has recently started combat training, and it is expected to conduct seamless, accompanying operations with the J-20 fighter jet.
Shortly after its debut at Airshow China 2021 held in Zhuhai, South China’s Guangdong Province last month, the J-16D has been deployed in real combat-oriented drills.
Being deployed in real combat-oriented drills means the J-16D has begun to form a combat capability after the PLA Air Force gains familiarity with the new aircraft, a Chinese military expert explained on Saturday. It will be ready for combat soon, if not already, the expert said.
Specialized in electronic warfare, the J-16D is the latest class of domestically developed Chinese J-16 fighter jet. It is expected to accompany other warplanes seamlessly and enhance the PLA Air Force’s capabilities in carrying out missions by establishing a complete aviation electronic warfare system.
The J-16, from which the J-16D is derived, is a twin-seat, twin engine heavy fighter jet domestically developed in China. As a multirole fighter that excels at both offense and defense, it enjoys significant advantages in terms of the fire control system, radar and operation systems compared with other warplanes previously commissioned by the PLA Air Force.
The biggest difference between the J-16D and the original J-16 is that the J-16D can carry a wider range of equipment, including the small pods on the aircraft’s wingtips and the large pods under the aircraft’s wings and belly.
These pods, containing electronic surveillance, communications disruption and radar jamming devices, are the J-16D’s main battle equipment, in addition to the J-16’s original capabilities as a fighter, including air-to-air missiles, making the aircraft particularly powerful.
In real combat situations, electronic warfare aircraft like the J-16D can accompany other warplanes and provide them with electronic warfare support, for example, conducting electronic jamming or deception. They can also launch direct attacks on hostile radar installations or early warning aircraft.
Among all other warplanes only the J-16D can join hands with China’s most advanced J-20 stealth fighter jet. The Chinese claim that both the J-16D and the J-20 are designed to disrupt hostile radar assets. While the J-16D suppresses radars, the J-20 evades them.
J-16 fighter jets have been frequent participants in PLA exercises near the island of Taiwan over the past year, according to the island’s defense authorities. Since electronic warfare is a crucial part in modern warfare, it will not be a surprise if the J-16D also joins similar drills in the future.
Let’s see the time frame in which the PLAAF gains the confidence to fly these much vaunted J16D in their Western Theatre.
