Chinese military circles have reignited interest in the long-understated J-16 multirole fighter jet, hailing it as an essential cog in the wheel of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). As geopolitical tensions simmer in Asia, and amid Pakistan’s unsubstantiated claims of aerial victories over India, the Chinese narrative has dramatically shifted from celebrating fifth-generation stealth superiority to reviving its domestically upgraded fourth-generation fighter—the J-16.
This renewed focus on the J-16 comes against the backdrop of sustained propaganda efforts lauding China’s “Three Musketeers” of combat aviation: the fifth-generation J-20 Mighty Dragon, the 4.5-generation J-10C Vigorous Dragon, and the now widely-celebrated J-16. Collectively referred to as the “Three Swords” of the PLAAF, this triad of fighter jets is at the heart of China’s ambition to attain aerial dominance in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
The turning point in the conversation came after Pakistan’s Air Force (PAF) asserted in May 2025 that its J-10CE fighters—an export variant of the J-10C—had successfully shot down three Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale jets during a brief but tense clash. These claims, vehemently rejected by the Indian government and dismissed as misinformation by Dassault Aviation, were nonetheless amplified across Chinese social media, military forums, and even state-backed publications.
In this light, the J-10C, previously dismissed by many analysts as merely an intermediate fighter, became the unlikely hero of Beijing’s soft-power offensive. Chinese military bloggers quickly elevated its reputation, branding it not only a match for the Rafale, but a superior aircraft—especially due to its PL-15E long-range air-to-air missile, advanced radar, and cheaper acquisition cost.
Despite these praises, the J-10C has so far failed to attract substantial international buyers apart from Pakistan. It is within this atmosphere of mixed perceptions and shifting allegiances that Chinese strategists and bloggers have pivoted, pushing the J-16 into center stage.
The J-16 had long been overshadowed by its flashier cousins. However, a surge of recent articles from military analysts, digital influencers, and Chinese aviation enthusiasts now hail it as perhaps the most complete fighter in the PLAAF inventory.
Derived from the Russian Su-27 design and refined through China’s own J-11 series, the J-16 is essentially a homegrown “Flanker” evolution, tailored for multi-role capability. It was designed to fill a wide spectrum of combat roles: air superiority, ground strike, electronic warfare, and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD).
Significantly, the J-16 is powered by two WS-10B turbofan engines, enabling higher thrust and more efficient performance compared to earlier Chinese jets. Its Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, electronic countermeasures, glass cockpit, and helmet-mounted display (HMD) position it in what some have dubbed the “3.5 generation class,” bridging the gap between traditional fourth-gen fighters and stealthy fifth-gen platforms.
A Chinese-language article—widely circulated on Weibo and translated by global defense watchers—drew stark comparisons between the J-16 and India’s Su-30MKI, asserting that the Chinese jet was “superior in both quantity and capability.” The article noted:
“In terms of quantity, the number of J-16s has exceeded 300, close to 400, while India’s Su-30MKI has more than 270.”
Though these numbers may fluctuate, the core argument extended beyond quantity. The Chinese source argued that avionics, radar capability, and mission versatility decisively tipped the scale in favor of the J-16. While the Su-30MKI uses a passive phased-array radar, the J-16 reportedly boasts an advanced AESA radar, enabling superior target detection and engagement capabilities.
Moreover, Chinese military blogs emphasized that the J-16 features cutting-edge photoelectric sensors, data-links, and improved onboard computers, enabling greater operational integration across China’s air combat infrastructure.
However, Indian defense experts point out that the Su-30MKI has its advantages, particularly in thrust vectoring maneuverability, courtesy of its AL-31FP engines—an edge that the J-16, for all its modernizations, lacks.
The J-16 is not just a dogfighter—it is also built for modern network-centric warfare. The jet incorporates Radar Absorbent Material (RAM) coatings and a dark grey camouflage to reduce its radar cross-section, which some suggest gives it a “semi-stealth” capability.
- Electronic Countermeasure Pods
- Missile Approach Warning Systems (MAWS)
- Radar Warning Receivers (RWR)
- Chaff/flare dispensers
One of the most notable roles of the J-16 has been air patrol and interception duties over the South China Sea, where it has encountered Western reconnaissance aircraft.
In May 2022, a J-16 intercepted an RAAF P-8 Poseidon, releasing chaff dangerously close to the P-8’s engine, a move that was condemned by Canberra. A year later, another J-16 maneuvered abruptly in front of a US RC-135 Rivet Joint, again sparking outrage.
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the rise of the J-16 is what it represents: China’s transition from reverse engineering to indigenous innovation. Despite its Flanker lineage, the J-16 has been reimagined with advanced materials, Chinese-made engines, and indigenous software systems.
Chinese military commentators now even argue that:
“The best Eagle fighters are in the United States, but the best Flanker fighters are not in Russia, but in China.”
A bold claim, yet one increasingly echoed by foreign defense experts. The UK-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) labeled the J-16 as “China’s most capable multirole and strike aircraft,” underlining its ability to conduct simultaneous air superiority and precision strike operations.
This emerging consensus supports the view that the J-16 may not just be a ‘better Su-30MKI’ but an altogether different beast—one that combines Russian muscle, Western-like avionics, and Chinese technological ambition.
By recasting the J-20, J-10C, and J-16 as the “Three Swords” of the PLAAF, China is crafting a comprehensive and flexible air combat doctrine:
- J-20 Mighty Dragon: Stealth platform for deep penetration and air dominance missions, frequently compared to the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
- J-10C Vigorous Dragon: Agile and affordable workhorse suited for frontline dogfights and regional air defense.
- J-16 Flanker Evolution: Heavy multirole fighter for strike missions, electronic warfare, and long-range patrols.
This synergy allows the PLAAF to balance high-end capabilities with mass deployment, bridging operational gaps in a region where the US, India, and other powers are also upgrading their air forces.
While China celebrates its Three Swords, the future is already taking shape. Beijing is known to be developing sixth-generation prototypes under the monikers J-36 and J-50, reportedly incorporating features like AI-assisted controls, directed energy weapons, and drone-swarming capabilities.
These efforts underscore China’s determination to not just catch up, but leapfrog its Western rivals in airpower.
But until the sixth-generation era arrives, it is the J-16, once underestimated, that now fills a strategic void.
The emergence of the J-16 as a central piece of the Chinese aerial puzzle is a testament to Beijing’s long-game approach in military modernization. While the world obsesses over stealth fighters, China has used media narratives, timely propaganda, and performance claims to quietly build confidence around the J-16.
Whether or not it truly outclasses the Su-30MKI or rivals the Rafale is still up for debate. Yet, from a strategic standpoint, the aircraft’s technological refinements, mission versatility, and doctrinal importance make it a formidable force in any future confrontation.
Indo-Pacific theater, where perception can often shape policy, the J-16’s ascent from obscurity to front-page glory illustrates a larger truth: airpower is not only measured in dogfights—but in data, doctrine, and dominance of the narrative.
