PLA shows off new fighters
- Source: Global Times
- [03:18 November 04 2009]
- Comments
The Bayi aerobatics team performs yesterday morning over the Shahe Airport in the outskirts of northwest Beijing. Photo: CFP
By Huang Jingjing
Air Force's Bayi Aerobatics Team gave its first official performance Tuesday in the outskirts of northwest Beijing after it was equipped with the third-generation J-10 fighters.
Six J-7GB fighters and four J-10 fighters participated in the performance. The J-7GB, which are the second-generation fighters, will be replaced by J-10 fighters after the performance.
In addition, 24 soldiers from the Air Force Parachuting Brigade performed parachuting stunts using the Z-8KA Helicopter.
The fighters entertained crowds with several stunts, including vertical and oblique turns, cross flight, rolls, loops, dives and sharp vertical drops.
Reporters and residents in neighboring villages enjoyed the hour-long demonstration.
The performers will stage two more shows on Sunday and November 12, to mark the 60th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, which falls on November 11.
Military experts from the Air Force Command Institute also briefed the media on the latest development of the air force Tuesday evening. China has attached more importance on developing a strong defensive and offensive air force, experts said at the briefing.
Wang Mingliang, a major general and director of the training command at the institute, said threats from space, including surveillance from air force of other nations, have been widely regarded as the greatest risk to a country's security.
"China, with the third largest land area in the world, has to be high alert for those threats," he said. "Speeding up the building of a national air defense system is an urgent task for us. We have to construct a modern air defense missile system and expand the scope of space activities to minimize the possibility of a sudden crisis from outer space."
