16th Airshow China to showcase Navy equipment on large scale, multiple Air Force combat platforms to appear for first time

The Zhuhai city in South China's Guangdong Province is gearing up for the 16th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, running from December 7 to 13. A press conference for the event was held in Beijing on Tuesday, briefing the public on the preparations and some highlights. The Global Times learned that, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the airshow's launch, this year's edition will hit a new record in scale, expand international cooperation and extend its display dimensions. New equipment from both the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force and Navy will appear together, presenting the military's new-quality combat capability in a systematic way. Experts said Airshow China is a "national window" onto China's self-developed aerospace and defense technologies, and an important platform for technological exchange, trade talks and dialogue on peace, carrying significance for advancing the aerospace industry and maintaining regional peace and stability. Air Force to debut multiple main combat equipment As China's only State Council-approved international aerospace exhibition, Airshow China is held every two years. Since 1996, it has been held 15 times, growing from a regional show into one of the world's top five aerospace and defense events. Zhang Hu, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, executive vice governor of Guangdong Province and provincial government spokesperson, said this year's show will display over 3,000 pieces of equipment, with first-time exhibits estimated at 10 percent. The main exhibition area will host over 170 aircraft, with both domestic and foreign aerobatic teams performing. The PLA Air Force's exhibits have long been a highlight. In 2024, the J-35A stealth fighter jet's first official appearance made international headlines. "The star of Airshow China, which showcases Beijing's civil and military aerospace sector every two years in the southern city of Zhuhai, is the new J-35A stealth fighter jet," AFP said in its 2024 coverage, when the J-35A made its debut. Gao Xiang, deputy director of the political work department of the PLA Air Force, said this year's exhibits will cover reconnaissance, early warning, air defense, support, airborne operations, unmanned applications, intelligent equipment and munitions, fully presenting the service's equipment renewal and evolving combat system. "The lineup includes both combat-tested main combat platforms and publicly displayed upgraded equipment and new-quality combat capabilities," Gao said. "Some have made breakthroughs in type or quantity; others have innovated in air-ground coordination and display methods. The share of new-quality combat forces has increased, and multiple main combat equipment will make their Airshow China debut." The displays will show the public the Air Force's improved combat readiness and modernization achievements. A key feature is the "one show, three zones" layout: the main venue at the Zhuhai International Airshow Center, the Gaolan Port maritime equipment display zone and the Lianzhou unmanned equipment exhibiting zone, extending the display of active-duty equipment to the sea and forming an integrated air, space, sea and land display system. "This year's airshow expands into the maritime dimension for the first time, opening the Gaolan maritime equipment display zone and enabling a large-scale, concentrated showing of active-duty Navy equipment," Zhang said. Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the expansion extends the display from "sky" to "sea," achieving comprehensive air, land, sea and space defense coverage and making the show more three-dimensional. In 2024, the PLA Navy brought real equipment to the airshow for the first time, including the J-15T carrier-based fighter, Z-9F carrier-based anti-submarine helicopter and Y-8 anti-submarine patrol aircraft. Two years later, the Navy is returning with a major maritime lineup. The Wall Street Journal noted the J-15T's appearance in 2024, reporting that China's navy showcased a new variant of its J-15 fighter that can be launched off aircraft carriers using a catapult system - a capability that Beijing has added to its newest carrier. "The Navy's move from a first appearance in 2024 to a large-scale display of active-duty equipment in 2026 marks a qualitative shift from 'testing the waters' to 'gaining a solid foothold,'" Zhang Junshe said. The expert added that Gaolan Port's deep-water conditions will allow the public to board ships for close-up visits, upgrading the experience from "looking at models behind a fence" to "immersive tours of real vessels." "Through this international airshow, the Navy will show its resolve to strengthen sea power and focus on combat readiness, raising public awareness and influence of its equipment." The Lianzhou unmanned equipment exhibition zone will serve as a demonstration platform for drones and anti-drone systems, according to the conference. Dynamic anti-drone demonstrations will be a highlight, with companies showcasing multiple countermeasures and the latest developments in drone counter-technology. Several new drone models will also take part in flight demonstrations. As a major international aerospace and defense event, the airshow will again serve as a platform for global exchange and cooperation. This year's edition is more international than ever. Delegations from Russia, the US, France and Germany have expanded their participation, while companies from Belt and Road partner countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Singapore are deeply involved. More than 170 aircraft have registered for the main display area, a new record. Zhang Junshe said that since 1996, nearly 50 countries and regions and over 1,000 companies have viewed China's aerospace innovation and the systematic debut of new Air Force and Navy equipment through this window. Hao Changfeng, spokesperson for China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, told the Global Times the company has participated in the event since 1996. "Over 30 years, our exhibits have grown from a few scattered items to a full spectrum of missiles, rockets, satellites, spacecraft and equipment, extending into commercial space, the low-altitude economy and space digital intelligence," he said. "Behind this shift is China's aerospace journey from catching up to running alongside, and in some areas leading." An anonymous military commentator who has attended the airshow multiple times told the Global Times on Tuesday that the event allows domestic and foreign companies to deepen exchanges and grasp the latest trends in global aerospace technology. Ahead of this year's show, Chinese aviation equipment has seen a string of delivery and procurement developments overseas. In August, Uzbekistan's state television publicly showed J-10CE fighters bearing the country's insignia, with six aircraft visible. Bangladesh is advancing procurement talks, with draft agreements prepared. "The J-10CE, as an advanced fighter independently developed by China, has won multiple overseas orders, entered service in other countries and achieved combat results. It has always been a focal point at the show. How the J-10 series, especially the J-10C, will be displayed this year will be closely watched," the commentator said.