China unveils new military kit and demonstrates technological prowess

Last month’s Zhuhai Airshow, held in the southern Chinese city, offered the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and China’s vast military-industrial complex an opportunity to show off their latest defence technologies.

The latest data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) listed nine Chinese defence companies among the world’s top 100. In 2023, their combined arms revenue reached US$103 billion, equating to 16% of the top 100 companies’ revenue, placing China second only to the US.

A total of five of the nine Chinese companies registered, however, saw decreases in arms revenue amid China’s economic slowdown. Combined, the nine companies achieved a 0.7% year-on-year increase, the lowest level since 2019. AVIC, China’s largest arms company, saw its revenue rise 5.6% to $20.9 billion.

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Air: World firsts and technological enhancements

It was the J-35A twin-engine fighter that grabbed headlines at Zhuhai. It joins the J-20 as the second fifth-generation fighter to enter PLA Air Force (PLAAF) service. On why the PLAAF requires a second stealth fighter, Rick Joe, an expert on the PLA and longtime follower of Chinese military developments, told Shephard: “I see the J-35A as a lower-cost, medium-weight, not-quite-as-long-range complement to the J-20/J-20A.”

Joe added, however, that he saw its role primarily as an air superiority aircraft, with a secondary strike role similar to that of the J-20.

“I expect it to be as well-equipped as the J-20/J-20A in terms of sophistication of weapons, avionics and prioritisation of signature reduction,” he remarked. The J-35A derives from the J-35 destined to join the PLA Navy (PLAN) as a carrier-borne fighter.

Joe surmised that the PLAAF had received several J-35As for initial operational testing and evaluation, further noting “an export version could prove more appealing to overseas customers because PLA procurement guarantees an upgrade and sustainment pathway”.

Joe suspects J-20 production rates will not slow either and the PLA’s “decision to procure J-35As may be due to a desire to further increase fifth-gen procurement rates as soon as possible”.

Chengdu displayed a twin-seat J-20S mock-up for the first time at Zhuhai indicating it was progressing beyond a technology demonstrator. Significantly, this has become the world’s first twin-seat stealth fighter, where the backseat operator could control unmanned aircraft.

Two PLAN aircraft designed for carrier operations, the J-15D electronic warfare fighter and J-15T fitted with a catapult towbar on its nose gear, were also on displace.

China revealed the PL-15E long-range air-to-air missile with folding tails as well, which means the J-20 and J-35 can carry six such missiles internally, rather than the current four missiles. It is uncertain whether the PL-15E has undergone propulsion and guidance improvements too.

UAVs: Wide-ranging developments in uncrewed platforms

China continues to impress with its diverse portfolio of UAVs. CASC showed its CH-7, which is being realigned from a strategic armed reconnaissance asset to a stealth surveillance platform. Able to penetrate contested airspace, its proposed roles include monitoring combat areas, electronic support and jamming, and long-range air and sea surveillance.

The CH-7, which has an 8t maximum take-off weight, has a flight ceiling of 16,000m and endurance of 16h. Its maiden flight is expected in Q1 2025, after taxi tests occur in late 2024.

Debuting in Zhuhai was CASC’s CH-9 UAV with a 5t maximum take-off weight. It has a range of 11,500km, and can perform both ISR and strike missions. It has a 24.8m wingspan, payload capacity of 480kg, 420km/h top speed and 40h endurance.

AVIC also unveiled its large Smart-configuration Support UAV (SS-UAV) at Zhuhai. This 16t aircraft carries modular payloads configured for missions such as maritime strike, long-range cargo transport and surveillance. Its payload could even comprise swarms of smaller UAVs.

It is 16.35m long and has a 25m wingspan. The jet-powered SS-UAV has a flight ceiling of 15,000m, 378kt maximum speed, endurance of more than 12h and ferry range of 7,000km. It can carry up to 6t of payload either internally or on eight hardpoints.

The PLAAF displayed a new UCAV simply labelled as a “new-type reconnaissance and strike UAV”. No other nomenclature was given, but it could potentially replace older in-service Wing Loong models. It is powered by a five-bladed turboprop, compared to the Wing Loong 2’s three-bladed propeller.

Another debutant was the twin-turboprop Scorpion B UCAV from Sichuan Tengden Sci-tech Innovation. Slightly smaller than the TB-001 already in PLAAF service, the Scorpion B has an 18m wingspan, 8.8m length, 1,950kg maximum take-off weight and an 8,500km range.

Sea: Naval equipment makes a splash at air event

The Zhuhai Airshow traditionally showcases air and land equipment, but there was a naval element this year. The most impressive exhibit was the JARI-USV-A unmanned surface vessel from CSSC’s Jiangsu Automation Research Institute. It displaces 420t, is 58m long and has a 23m beam. Capable of 40kt speeds, its range is listed as 4,000nm. CSSC is the world’s biggest military shipbuilder and it increased arms revenue by 15% last year to $11.5 billion.

The JARI-USV-A, or Orca, features a trimaran hull and reduced radar cross-section. With a vertical launch system fitted, it can perform beyond-visual-range strikes, air and missile defence, and anti-submarine search and prosecution. An unmanned helicopter can use its flight deck, plus a stern ramp can launch/recover smaller unmanned vessels or sensors.

Land: Firepower and CUAS systems demonstrated

New vehicles appeared at Zhuhai Airshow 2024 too, with Norinco alone exhibiting 225 items. According to SIPRI, Norinco’s arms revenues fell 2.7% last year. The company’s VN23 is a 38t 8x8 fire support vehicle armed with a 125mm main gun, with two turret types apparent. The SH16A artillery piece also employs an 8x8 chassis, this time mounting a 155mm howitzer in an unmanned turret; it has a reported firing range of 53km.

Also new, and part of the VN22 6x6 family, was the ST4 bearing a turreted 105mm gun. Norinco has a new VN12A light tank available for export too. Seemingly based on a ZBD-04 infantry fighting vehicle hull, the VN12A’s two-man turret boasts a 105mm gun with autoloader.

The modernised VT4A main battle tank now has an active protection system, electronic warfare suite and two UAVs carried in the turret rear. Meanwhile, the VT5U is a new optionally unmanned version of the VT5 light tank.

Counter-UAS systems featured prominently too. One example was the PLB-625E 8x8 vehicle with HPM2000 microwave energy weapon array installed, while the more powerful HPM3000 microwave system is mounted on an 8x8 truck chassis.

The manned HQ-17AE air defence system has been seen before, but this year an unmanned HQ-17AE 8x8 fire support vehicle useful for countering UAV swarms was displayed. It carries 24 short-range and 48 very short-range missiles, plus omnidirectional jammers.

CASIC’s HQ-19 air defence system was shown publicly for the first time as well, with six missile canisters per 8x8 launcher. As the Chinese equivalent of THAAD, the HQ-19 is an anti-ballistic missile system that features a kinetic-kill warhead. The system was first spotted deployed in 2021, so several battalions are probably operational now. SIPRI data revealed that CASIC suffered a 21% drop in revenue last year.

Related Equipment in Defence Insight

ZTQ-15/VT5

VT4 (MBT-3000)

VN22