Military Strategy
J-10 fighters to shine in Airshow China 2010
November 1, 2010
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, a new sponsor of Airshow China 2010, is set to participate in it with a bigger contingent, bringing with them a majority of the aircraft displayed at the 60th National Day Parade on 2009, including the newly-equipped J-10 fighters.
The Airshow China, which is also known as the Eighth China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, will be held in Zhuhai City, south China’s Guangdong Province from Nov. 11 to Nov. 21.
A new breakthrough is expected in domestic participation. China North Industries Group Corporation is to make its debut at the air show by setting up the China Weaponry Hall to showcase domestically-made aviation equipment, airborne and air defense products, civil aviation and information technology.
The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the developer of China’s large aircraft, has ordered a stand to have a presence at the air show for the first time.
Other major sponsors of the air show, including the China Aviation Industry Corporation, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation will participate on a larger scale, displaying the most advanced aviation and aerospace products and technology.
The PLA Air Force will also present advanced third-generation warplanes — namely the J-10 fighter, the H-6 bomber carrier and the JH-7 attack bomber.
In addition, both new and regular domestic exhibitors have shown greater interest in participation. Statistics of the confirmed orders show that most of the regular exhibitors have increased their exhibition space.
Various models of domestically-produced aircraft that represent self-owned intellectual property rights and state-of-the-art technology will make their debuts at the air show and perform demos. These included the ARJ-2, a new type of regional jet made by COMAC; the Seagull 300, a new-style amphibious plane assembled in Zhuhai; the AC-313 helicopter, which made its first successful flight on March 18, 2010 and the JF-17, a fighter jointly developed by China and Pakistan. Also making an appearance are the KJ-200 early-warning aircraft and the MA600 regional jet.
There will also be unprecedented participation of overseas aircrafts. The first home assembled A320 of Airbus, Lineage 1000 and Legacy 600 of Embraer, AW109 of Agusta Westland, Citation Mustang and Grand Caravan of Cessna have all confirmed their presence at Airshow China 2010.
And other leading aircraft manufactures, including Bombardier, Gulfstream, Hawker Beech, Dassault Falcon and Cessna are also expected to display their main models.
Besides, the organizer of the air show is trying to bring in world-famous aircraft like the A380 and the Su-35.
The eye-catching aircraft display will also feature a large variety of helicopters.
Eurocopter’s EC225 and Sikorsky’s S-76, a 12-seat all-weather civil transport helicopter and the latest heavy duty S-92 will be joined by the domestic Z-8 and Z-9. The AC-313, the biggest helicopter ever made by China, will be among those present at the show.
Moreover, the Pakistan Air Force aerobatic team ‘Sherdil’ is set to stage thrilling maneuvers at Airshow China 2010 using nine K-8 trainers, an advanced military aircraft jointly developed by China and Pakistan. The Pakistan Air Force will also present three FC-1 supersonic fighters.
Currently, the business canvass work of the air show has been completed and exhibition scale is expected to hit a record high with 23,000 square meters identified indoor exhibition areas displayed by 600 Chinese and foreign aerospace companies.
The China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition is the only international aerospace trade show in China that is endorsed by the central Chinese government. It features the display of real-size products, trade talks, technological exchange and a flying display. Since 1996, the show has been successfully held in Zhuhai in every even-number year for seven sessions.