At the Airshow China 2021 in Zhuhai, the first flight of a Chinese carrier-based fighter of the next generation was announced, which will be made before the end of the year. In the United States, they doubted China's ability to introduce a new aircraft this year. Former US Army officer Brent Eastwood wrote about this in 19FortyFive.
The president of the Chinese Aviation Academy Sun Kong (Sun Cong) said that the carrier-based fighter of the new generation will make its first flight in 2021. According to Eastwood, the implementation of such plans is unlikely.
The author of the material emphasizes that the main carrier-based aircraft of China remains the J-15, which is based on the prototype of the Su-33 aircraft. "This aircraft is known for its maintenance and durability issues," Eastwood writes.
An American expert claims that China needs a new aircraft because of the superiority of the American F/A-18E/F Super Hornet over the J-15, which is inferior to its competitor in maneuverability. Also, a promising aircraft needs stealth to counter the F-35C carrier-based fighters.
Eastwood recalled that two Chinese aircraft carriers are equipped with springboards for takeoff with a shortened takeoff. In turn, the promising aircraft carrier Type 003 can receive a catapult for the effective launch of aircraft. According to the author, the probability of creating a new carrier-based fighter will increase after the completion of the Type 003. Until then, information about the creation of the aircraft remains "speculation and bragging," Eastwood summed up.
Earlier, Eastwood expressed doubts about Russian information about the tests of the T-14 Armata tank in Syria. In the material for 19FortyFive, the author suggested that the tank did not take part in the fighting.
Daniil Irinin