First Opening! The China Airshow's Maritime Equipment Display Area Will Bring a Brand New Experience

At this year's China Airshow, the People's Air Force showcased equipment covering areas such as air reconnaissance, early warning, air defense, support, airborne operations, unmanned applications, as well as intelligent equipment and munitions, fully demonstrating the achievements of the Air Force's equipment modernization and the continuous improvement of its operational system. The flight demonstrations closely aligned with real combat formations and maneuvers, visually showcasing the training level and combat capabilities of the troops.

Additionally, this year's airshow featured a "Digital Capability" section at the Air Force booth for the first time, utilizing humanoid robots, virtual digital humans, and other technologies to create a high-tech, intelligent exhibition experience. It showcased cutting-edge devices such as AI interviews, anti-motion sickness brain-machine interaction assessments, digital maintenance, and intelligent testing, focusing on the latest achievements in building a "Smart Air Force," AI applications, and unmanned intelligent collaboration.

The Gaolan Port exhibition area is the first opened area at this year's airshow. The Chinese Navy will utilize the nearly thousand-meter coastline of Gaolan Port to create an immersive display area for naval equipment, showcasing active-duty vessels in static displays, as well as amphibious armored vehicles and other equipment on land.

The Navy has not disclosed the specific models of the active-duty vessels on display, but eager netizens have already begun discussions. Some netizens speculated that the Southern Theater Navy might send the Type 071 amphibious dock landing ship or the Type 075 amphibious assault ship for display based on the information that amphibious armored vehicles will be showcased on land at the Gaolan Port exhibition area.

Some netizens also mentioned that if the Type 055 destroyer, which has never been publicly displayed on the mainland, can participate, it would be a major highlight of this year's China Airshow.

Expectations for Air Force Equipment and Ground Deployment are at an all-time high!

At the last China Airshow, the J-35A made its first public appearance and conducted a flight demonstration. What surprises will the Chinese Air Force bring this year?

Military commentator Zhang Xuefeng: At this year's China Airshow, the People's Air Force's exhibited equipment covers reconnaissance, early warning, air defense support, airborne operations, etc., essentially encompassing all types of equipment used in air combat. I believe the J-20 series fighter jets will definitely participate in the airshow for flight demonstrations. Will there be new performance forms for the J-35A worth looking forward to? Especially as the J-35A is being equipped into the troops and maturing, will there be more maneuvers during aerial displays?

In addition, I think another focus will be on the ground. At the last airshow, the Hongqi-19 regional missile defense system was showcased for the first time. After being equipped into the troops, this missile defense system has demonstrated very powerful performance, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles and hypersonic missiles, and has shown a very high hit rate and accuracy during target practice. This time, I believe the Hongqi-19 will definitely continue to be exhibited.

Additionally, it was noted that at the 2025 September 3rd military parade, we showcased the Hongqi-29 mid-course missile defense system. Will it make an appearance at this year's China Airshow? That is also worth everyone's attention.

The naval equipment display area will bring a brand new experience

In September last year, the Navy officially announced the carrier's "three-piece set," which includes the J-15T, J-35, and KJ-600, and we also saw the three-piece set completing electromagnetic catapult launches and arrested landings on the Fujian ship. Will we have the opportunity to see the carrier's three-piece set at this year's China Airshow?

Zhang Xuefeng: I think there is definitely such a possibility. At the last China Airshow, the People's Navy's J-15 series aircraft conducted aerial flight demonstrations. At that time, there were already the J-15 "three musketeers": one was the J-15 glide, one was the J-15 missile, and the other was the J-15 electronic.

Based on this, will the J-35 make an appearance? I think it is entirely possible. The J-35 represents the latest technology in naval carrier-based fighter jets. Its induction will greatly enhance the air combat capabilities of carrier battle groups and improve strike capabilities against surface targets. If it can appear at the China Airshow, I believe it will fully represent the advanced combat power of the Navy.

This time, the Gaolan Port naval equipment display area also means that this year's China Airshow will allow us to see the Navy's vessels in person. Will there be opportunities to board and visit them?

Zhang Xuefeng: I hope there will be such opportunities. The establishment of the naval equipment exhibition area, achieving a large-scale centralized display of the People's Navy's active equipment, indicates that it will not just be one or two ships, but likely a systematic display of the achievements in the construction of the People's Navy's surface warships.

Another point worth noting is the large amphibious assault ships and amphibious landing ships. This announcement also stated that there will be displays of amphibious armored vehicles, which may be carried by large amphibious assault ships for combined demonstrations. I believe there will also be certain destroyers or other main battle ships and auxiliary vessels on display.

Will there be opportunities to see dynamic displays of unmanned boats, or will there be simultaneous appearances of manned naval equipment alongside unmanned naval equipment?

Zhang Xuefeng: We will definitely see the maritime display of unmanned boats. In 2018, the China Airshow showcased the "Wanderer II" unmanned boat for the first time, which can launch missiles. We not only have small ones but also large ones: the "Orca," with a displacement of 500 tons. Compared to small unmanned boats, it has strong long-range sailing capabilities, making it very suitable for coordination with manned warships for long-range operations. In the future, it will play an important role in high-intensity naval warfare.