Chinese J‑16 jet's low‑altitude beach flight sparks safety debate
A Chinese J-16 fighter jet belonging to the People's Liberation Army Air Force caused a stir after a video of its flight over a beach at a very low altitude surfaced on the internet. The video, which surfaced on Chinese social media, shows the plane flying just a few feet above the shoreline, reports Defence Blog.
Although the exact location and time of the flight have not been officially confirmed, the recording quickly captured the attention of Chinese aviation observers worldwide. Some considered the manoeuvre a bold display of precise piloting, while others expressed concerns about the safety and purpose of such a flight, as the Defence Blog notes.
China shows its capabilities
The service also reminds us that in recent years, Chinese air forces have regularly showcased their growing capabilities through exercises and increasingly assertive aerial actions, especially in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea region.
Public displays like this one are rare and may be an attempt to demonstrate readiness and skills to domestic and international audiences. Military analysts suggest the flight might have been part of training exercises or a controlled display; however, the Chinese defence ministry has not officially confirmed this.
Chinese J-16 fighter jet
The Chinese Shenyang J-16 fighter jet is one of the key pillars of the People's Liberation Army's modern fighter aviation. This twin-engine, multirole aircraft was developed through ambitious efforts by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. The J-16 is not entirely novel, as it is based on the Russian Su-30MKK platform, acquired under licence, but Chinese engineers introduced several significant upgrades that grant it new-generation fighter status.
The J-16 is over 21 metres long, with a wingspan of approximately 15 metres and a takeoff weight of 35 metric tonnes. It is powered by two domestically produced WS-10A Taihang turbofan engines. The fighter can reach a maximum speed of about 2 Mach, or roughly 2,480 km/h, and its operational range is over 3,900 kilometres. The J-16 can carry a wide range of air-to-air missiles, such as the short-range PL-10 and the modern long-range PL-15 missiles, whose parameters are compared to those of the American AIM-120D.
Additionally, the J-16 can attack ground targets with satellite-guided bombs, glide bombs, and air-to-ground missiles, including YJ-83K anti-ship missiles. Overall, the aircraft has 12 pylons and can carry over 8 metric tonnes of weaponry. It is worth noting that the J-16 also comes in an electronic warfare and electronic support version, the J-16D. This variant is equivalent to the American EA-18G Growler, which specialises in jamming enemy radars and communications.
