China to Showcase New Warplanes at Airshow China 2024

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force will unveil some of its latest warplanes at the upcoming Airshow China, to be held in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province from November 12 to 17, 2024.

Lieutenant General Yu Qingjiang, vice commander of the PLA Air Force, announced at a press conference that newly developed warplanes will make their first public appearance during flight performances at the airshow. These aircraft will showcase their capabilities in long-range strategic delivery and air combat.

A range of new equipment will also be on display in static displays, showcasing the PLA Air Force's capabilities in various areas, including air combat, air strike, unmanned and anti-unmanned warfare, strategic delivery and airdropping, as well as early warning and air defense.

"We want to display the PLA Air Force's capabilities and confidence in firmly defending national sovereign unity and territorial integrity, and positively convey its vision and voice of safeguarding peace, openness for cooperation and equal communication," Yu said.

While military enthusiasts are eager to see the unveiling of the H-20, China's next-generation stealth bomber, experts believe it is not yet ready for a debut. Instead, potential candidates for the unveiling include a medium-sized stealth fighter jet based on the FC-31, unmanned stealth drones, new special operations aircraft, and modified versions of previously known aircraft such as the Y-20 equipped with new domestically developed engines.

Other PLA services and branches, including the Army and the Navy, will also bring their equipment to the airshow. This event will mark the unprecedented participation of all three branches of the PLA, making it one of the most anticipated airshows in the world.