Shenyang J-16 is not as fancy as the J-20 Mighty Dragon Stealth fighter despite the fact that the US is looking at it in the backdrop is a cheaper but still formidable fighter.

Numbers and specific variants with various equipment and load-outs allow the fighter to be a versatile platform.The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) uses it as its workhorse in operations it is suited for.

Chinese Display of Aircraft Superiority in Numbers

China has the fighters in numbers, and an anti-sub model might be a new variant of the J-16, and they are turning up that much everywhere.

When flying the ADIZ of Taiwan, they are evident as their numbers, with about 150 planes that include the J-16 as the bulk of the flight, reported Eurasian Times.

The US Airforce values its airspace control, but by 2035 it might be a serious concern for America. By 2035, the PLAAF will be the dominant air force.

Taiwan gets to have a regular visit from these fighters, but it might become more effective than intimidation once their weapons are armed.

Why of all things, the less advanced Russian plane clone is what caught the attention of US experts, even as the J-20 is shown off whenever the Chinese can.

China's tactics are called gray zone is some kind of hybrid warfare without attacking the enemy. The Shenyang J-16 is a vital part of tactics used by the PLAAF, and there is not a day it comes buzzing Taiwanese airspace.

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China Uses Highly Asymmetrical Tactics

The military uses these jet fighters to annoy America and its allies, like the recent exercises by PLA Western Theater Command Air Force. Aerial drills practiced how to dog fight and other pilot skills; with the US and Japan watching it, it sends a nasty message to military observers.

On one occasion, there was a sortie of 39 attack aircraft, and there were 24 J-16s that entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ). It was the greatest number of attack jets sent in several days too. These displays would unnerve the Ministry of National Defense, according to Janes.

Many experts would give Shenyang a dismissive assessment; this is not the case with Chinese analysts. It has become the most important fighter of the PLAAF.

One of the flying instructors of the PLA Northern Theater Command Air Force, Wann Songxi, remarked the multi-role J-16 is a great fighter and even better than its cousin, the Su-30.

Shenyang J-16 Equipments

First flight in 2004, it was first introduced and uses a modern AESA radar capable of air to air or air to ground operations.

The newest variant is the J-16D, an electronic warfare aircraft, which was first developed from the Su-27, resulting in the J-11, per National Interest. 

D-variant is patterned after the Hornet Growler with antennas and an ECM pod equipped for the job. The radar, an active electronically scanned radar array (AESA), is also standard on it.

Compared to the J-20s, Shenyang J-16 and its variants are the most numerous. Their sheer numbers per flight make a difference in taking away US air superiority.

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