Highlights of Airshow China 2021

The 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, “Airshow China 2021” was held in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, from September 28 to October 3, 2021.

China's ambition for self-sufficiency in aerospace and its growing defense technology was displayed at the country's biggest air show in Zhuhai. Airshow China is the only international aerospace trade show held in support from the Chinese aerospace industries and the central government.

Airshow China 2021 featured the display of real-size products in outdoor spaces and chalets, technological exchange and flying display and demonstration of ground equipment maneuver, as well as technological exchange, seminars, conferences and B2B meetings.

During the airshow, more than 100 aircraft were displayed in the air or on the ground, including a next-generation crewed rocket and heavy-lift launch vehicle.

Although, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer foreign exhibitors, guests and journalists attended the show this year, nevertheless the international audiences were provided with vital information and strategic plans related to China's defense products.

China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition’s official website posted that Chinese President Xi Jinping in a congratulatory letter stated that, “Airshow China will vigorously promote the development of the world's aviation and aerospace technology, intensify international exchange and cooperation, and make people around the world benefit from achievements in the field.”


The ground equipment presents dynamic demonstrations during the 13th China Airshow on September 29, 2021. (Image Credit: China News Service/Chen Chuhong)


This year’s Airshow was attended by international aviation and aerospace enterprises to showcase the latest technology and products in the fast-growing Chinese market, while Chinese aerospace and defense firms’ presence also increased significantly.

Major Western suppliers like Boeing (BA.N) and Airbus (AIR.PA) also participated in the event and sent their China-based teams, however, foreign-based representatives were unable to travel due to COVID-19 restrictions and attended the airshow virtually.


Featured Aircraft:

China’s most advanced aerial weapons and equipment were the highlights of this year’s airshow, and the latest modifications on the J-20 stealth fighter jet, the H-20 strategic stealth bomber and a series of state-of-the-art drones that were introduced for the first time during the Airshow China 2021.

The flying displays also featured some of the China’s key export products, including the world's largest amphibious aircraft AG600 Kunlong (Kun Dragon), that was designed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China for conducting sea-rescue and fire-fighting missions.

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force announced on September 28, that its J-20 fighter jets, that participated in the flight performance during the Airshow 2021, have been equipped with domestically built engines.

China’s Commander of the J-20s' flight performance Colonel Li Jikuan said at a press conference at the air show that “the aerobatic moves that J-20 made this time showed the outstanding performance of the aircraft at low altitude and high speed, performing tight turns and under large flight angles”.

The Global Times reported that “dazzling flight performances” by the Chinese Air Force’s most advanced J-20 fighter jet were the main attraction of the Airshow 2021. While, a Chinese military expert Song Zhonping told the Global Times on September 28, that switching to Chinese engines means the J-20 is now completely domestically made, and this will significantly contribute to the mass production and the performance boost of the aircraft.


J-20 stealth fighter jet, displayed at the Aviation Industry Corporation, pavilion ahead of Airshow China 2021 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. (Image Credit: Getty Images)


A Chinese military expert Zhang Xuefeng told Global Times that the two J-20 fighter jets showcased “some of the most practical maneuvers in real combat scenarios, as these moves would allow the aircraft to better lock on targets with missiles”.

According to Zhang, the domestically built engines of aircraft can provide more powerful thrust to the J-20, which will assist the fighter jet’s maneuvering capabilities during the combat and in supersonic cruise. Zhang added, “with serrated nozzles, the new engines will improve the J-20's stealth capability, since such a design can reflect radar waves to some tight angles, and this will reduce the detection range of hostile radars on the J-20”.

A defense technology analyst at Janes, Kelvin Wong said that “Beijing is intent on not just pushing locally made military aircraft and aerospace technologies, but also its ability to address almost any military requirement out there”.

China’s cutting-edge J-16D electronic warfare aircraft with latest updates, a version of the J-16 fighter jet, also made its debut during the airshow. The aircraft is often compared with the U.S. Navy's EA-18G Growler.

The Global Times reported that, the J-16D has “two large electronic warfare pods on its wings” that allows it to “disrupt and jam hostile electronic equipment, including radar and communications systems”. The fighter jet is also equipped with domestically-made engines and a new avionics system.


Performance by China's Bayi Aerobatic Team during the Airshow China 2021.(Image Credit: Xinhua/Liu Dawei)


During the exhibition, a staff member of China Electronics Technology Group stated that “electronic warfare systems developed with user data from actual combat, supplied by overseas clients, have won acclaim”. “The coverage of [our remote equipment] could meet electromagnetic countermeasures of nearly all frequency bands in air defense electronic warfare and effectively protect important ground facilities," he added.

A Chinese defense expert at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, James Char said that the J-16D fighter jet demonstrates the “overall improvement” in the combat capabilities of the PLA. “This is indeed a significant development since it gives the Chinese military an advantage in terms of conducting aerial electronic warfare over targets that possess significant air defense capabilities,” he added.

Earlier this year, an assistant researcher at SIPPI, Fan Wei said in a report, "From these displays, we can have an understanding of the China military industry's offerings aimed not only at domestic customers but also our ability to provide systematic solutions for our users overseas.”


New Generation Drones:

During the airshow, the latest series of drone products, “Feihong” also made their debut. The products included, a new generation of stealth drones, an unmanned helicopter, and loitering missiles.

On the static display at the outdoor exhibition area, the Airshow featured some of the latest drones, including the WZ-7 high-altitude drone and WZ-8 high-speed and high-altitude drone.


The Chinese PLA Air Force displays the WZ-7 high-altitude reconnaissance drone at the Airshow China 2021. (Image Credit: CCTV)


The WZ-7, largest high-altitude reconnaissance drone, was also the highlight of the Airshow 2021. According to military experts, China’s largest indigenous WZ-7 drone would be effective tool in missions that require extended endurance. The WZ-7 drone that is also known as Guizhou Soar Dragon is built for maritime patrols and border reconnaissance missions, and has a wingspan of 24 meters and length of 14 meters. The WZ-7 is built by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China.

A prototype of new surveillance drone, the CH-6 was also unveiled during the Airshow China 2021. According to open-source intelligence the CH-6 is designed for surveillance and strike operations, and can carry out more precise surgical strikes on targets. The drone has a wingspan of 20.5 meters and length of 15.8 meters, and equipped with domestically-made technology.


The Chinese PLA Air Force's powerful CH-6 Drone debuts at Airshow China 2021.


During an interview with the South China Morning Post, Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Malcom Davis said that, “Operationally, these platforms – the WZ-7 and CH-6 – would be employed alongside China’s other drone and autonomous systems, as well as piloted aircraft, to provide a reconnaissance and attack capability against US and allied forces operating in the Indo-Pacific region”.

“They are platforms designed for forward intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, operating from high altitude, and are designed to detect and track U.S. naval forces, cueing China’s long-range strike capabilities to attack them, in what is known as ‘anti-access and area denial’,” he added.

In a quest to compete against Western firms for more military exports, China also exhibited its Wing Loong II, an armed drone similar to the American MQ-9 Reaper. Wing Loong II has already been sold to foreign customers including, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Chinese military commentator and former PLA instructor on missile technology Song Zhongping said that, "As China faces increasing threats from the West, it needs to improve its military-industrial, aviation and aerospace capabilities".


An amphibious transport vehicle "Horizon" displayed at Airshow China 2021. (Image Credit: China News Service/Chen Jimin)