China's New Electronic Attack Jet Does Combat Training As Taiwan Fears Harbor Blockade

China's new and advanced J-16D electronic attack jet has begun combat training and is expected to join the J-20 stealth fighter in operations, a move that would generate tremendous warfare efficiency to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) as it breathes down the neck of neighboring Taiwan.

The e-attack jet, which can carry a range of weapons, interference, and surveillance devices, was debuted at Airshow China 2021 held in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province last month, reported South China Morning Post.

The report, quoting a military analyst, said the jet would be more effective when working with other warplanes like the J-20 stealth fighter jet.

According to Wang Mingliang, a researcher at the PLA Air Force Command College in Beijing, both the J-16D and the J-20 can evade detection by rival radar systems. "So the two aircraft will benefit each other when they team up during a future battle," he added.

The J-16D is the latest class of Chinese developed J-16 fighter jet. It can jam enemy radars and will accompany the J-20 and J-10C fighter jets in combats. All three aircraft are equipped with computer-controlled active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar systems that allow them to better communicate with each other and detect enemies earlier.

The jet has an edge in terms of the fire control system, radar, and operation systems compared with other People's Liberation Army warplanes.

Unlike J-16, 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.

According to the Chinese state-backed Global Times, the J-16 fighter jets have been frequent participants in PLA exercises near the island of Taiwan over the past year. The report, quoting Chinese military expert Wang Mingzhi, said it is likely that the new electronic attack jets may join the J-16 for similar drills in Taiwan.

Satellite imagery released last month by Canada-based Kanwa Defence Review shows that at least one J-16D has been deployed to an eastern PLA airbase near Taiwan since May.

The introduction of the new advanced jet comes as Taiwan said Chinese armed forces are capable of blockading Taiwan's key harbors and airports in the event of a war.

According to the island's defense ministry, the PLA is aiming to complete the modernization of its forces by 2035 to "obtain superiority in possible operations against Taiwan and viable capabilities to deny foreign forces, posing a grave challenge to our national security."

"At present, the PLA is capable of performing local joint blockade against our critical harbors, airports, and outbound flight routes, to cut off our air and sea lines of communication and impact the flow of our military supplies and logistic resources," the ministry said.