Video | China's Air Force Four Main Combat Equipment Debuts in Egypt: How Strong is This Combat Chain?

The second Egypt International Air Show concluded on the 10th local time at Alamein International Airport. The J-16, KJ-500, Y-20A, and Z-20K, four types of main battle equipment, made their debut at an overseas air show for the first time. Taking off from the homeland and traveling to the North African desert, they first engaged in realistic combat training before bringing the entire aerial combat chain to the international stage. What capabilities of the People's Air Force are reflected behind this?

△ The Chinese Air Force's multiple main battle aircraft made their debut at the Egypt Air Show

Four types of domestically produced military aircraft

Showcasing a closed-loop combat chain

All four types of military aircraft showcased this time are domestically produced: the J-16 is responsible for air superiority and strikes against ground and naval targets, the KJ-500 is responsible for airborne early warning and command, the Y-20A serves as a "force multiplier" for aerial refueling, and the Z-20K can perform battlefield search and rescue and air delivery. Military commentator Fu Qianshao from China Voice pointed out that this is not just four types of military aircraft, but a complete closed-loop system from early warning, command, strike, support to search and rescue.

△ J-16

Fu Qianshao: The J-16 is one of the best heavy fighters in the world, with strong maneuverability, long range, and large payload capacity, and its avionics and radar systems are world-class. However, it cannot reach Egypt on its own due to its limited range. This time, the deployment of the Y-20A for escort and aerial refueling itself constitutes a small system.

The KJ-500 represents the highest level of current early warning aircraft technology. Fu Qianshao introduced that China's KJ-500 and KJ-500A use digital array radar, achieving "big warning from a small platform," with long detection ranges, strong multi-target processing capabilities, outstanding anti-jamming capabilities, and effective detection of stealth targets.

Although the Z-20K is not a fixed-wing aircraft, its value in the combat chain is irreplaceable.

Fu Qianshao: In combat, if there is a need to quickly replenish equipment or rescue pilots, a platform like the Z-20K is required. The four military aircraft are only part of our military equipment, but they already demonstrate that our comprehensive combat capabilities have reached a new stage.

In simple terms, the chain formed by these four types of equipment is: the KJ-500 detects targets and commands, the J-16 carries out strikes, the Y-20A ensures range and sustained combat capability, and the Z-20K is responsible for search and rescue and special operations, forming a complete closed loop. This is the fundamental difference between "systematic" and "single aircraft display."

△ KJ-500 early warning aircraft

Intercontinental transfer of 6000 kilometers

How to overcome three major challenges?

The participating formation flew from China to Egypt, covering a distance of six to seven thousand kilometers. J-16 pilot Jiao Lianjian introduced that flying the fighter across multiple countries and regions, with long-range maneuvers of thousands of kilometers, the entire process was smooth and successful, fully testing the reliability of domestically produced fighter jets and the troops' long-range delivery capabilities. Fu Qianshao interpreted the difficulties of long-range transfer from three levels:

First, passing through multiple countries, coordination is complex.

Intercontinental flights must pass through many countries, each with different situations; when to cross their airspace and what methods to use must be negotiated with each country. If negotiations fail, detours must be taken, significantly increasing the distance.

Second, equipment support requirements are high.

It is necessary to have long-range flight and transportation capabilities, requiring large aircraft for intercontinental flights. Aerial refueling aircraft must continuously refuel tactical aircraft to ensure safe arrival. Helicopters have short ranges and must rely on large transport aircraft to be directly delivered to the exercise site.

Third, rapid deployment after arrival.

When fighter jets and early warning aircraft arrive, maintenance support personnel and equipment must arrive on the same flight, allowing for rapid deployment of support and participation in the exercise as soon as the aircraft lands. This time, the People's Air Force completed a joint exercise after a long-distance flight of six to seven thousand kilometers, showcasing the enhancement of long-range combat capabilities from one aspect.

△ Z-20K

Participating in joint training abroad has become the norm

In recent years, the People's Air Force has increasingly gone abroad, frequently engaging in joint training in distant seas and overseas. Fu Qianshao stated that this strategic transformation, in addition to the enhancement of equipment performance, is of great significance to the national defense security of the entire country.

Fu Qianshao: The development strategy of the People's Air Force is "integrated air and space, with both offense and defense," which not only protects itself but also can prevent enemy invasions in more distant areas. It was once hard to imagine that Chinese military aircraft would participate in foreign military exercises, directly taking off from the homeland to land at foreign airports; now this has become a normalized approach.

This complex formation crossing two continents relies on the support and cooperation of various countries along the way. Fu Qianshao said this fully reflects that our country maintains good bilateral relations with countries and regions along the route, and that foreign military exchanges always adhere to equal and friendly consultation.

△ Y-20A tanker

Fu Qianshao: On one hand, this shows that we have friends all over the world, and on the other hand, it shows that we have the capability to conduct long-distance transfer flights. The Middle East is still a region of conflict; our ability to safely and smoothly cross two continents and fly back and forth through multiple countries demonstrates that China's status as a major power and its global influence are increasing and expanding.

Supervisor丨Huang Xianwen Wu Zhehua

Reporter丨Cui Tianqi Chi Xiaohang

Video丨Cui Haitao