A recent report by the U.S. magazine Military Watch highlights that the number of J-16 fighter jets in the Chinese Air Force has exceeded 350, making it the most widely deployed heavy multi-role fighter in active service globally. This achievement marks a significant milestone in China’s fighter development and showcases the strength of its defense industry.
According to the report, with the unveiling of the 13th batch of J-16s, the total number of J-16s in service has surpassed 350, far exceeding the 218 F-15E “Strike Eagles” in the U.S. and the less than 140 Su-30s in Russia. This solidifies the J-16’s position as the world’s most powerful heavy fighter.
The report mentions that the latest batch of J-16s, numbered 73368, has been integrated into the 125th Air Brigade of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), confirming that this model belongs to the 13th batch. Each batch typically consists of about 24 to 30 jets, indicating that China currently possesses at least 351 J-16s. This data reflects China’s robust fighter production capability and the significance of the J-16 in the global military market.
Furthermore, Military Watch points out that although the U.S. has recently introduced the upgraded F-15EX fighter, the J-16 excels in several key areas, even surpassing the F-15EX. The J-16 is equipped with advanced air-to-air missiles like the PL-10, PL-15, and PL-17, with a maximum operational range of 400 kilometers, far exceeding the 200 kilometers of the AIM-9X and AIM-120 missiles on the F-15EX. The J-16 also features a larger aperture active phased array radar, with a detection range one-third greater than the AN/APG-82(V)1 radar on the F-15EX, significantly enhancing its battlefield situational awareness.
In terms of performance, the J-16’s engines and range also surpass the F-15EX, and its annual production rate exceeds 50 units, far higher than the limited output of the F-15EX. These advantages make the J-16 the most outstanding fourth-generation heavy multi-role fighter in the world today, demonstrating formidable combat power and versatility in both air combat and ground attack scenarios.
The report notes that the J-16’s design incorporates numerous technologies from fifth-generation fighters, particularly in radar, sensors, airframe materials, and air-to-air missiles, sharing many features with the J-20 stealth fighter. This has significantly enhanced the J-16’s multi-role combat capabilities. Notably, the J-16 can carry multiple PL-17 ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles with a maximum range of 400 kilometers, capable of precisely striking high-value targets deep within enemy territory, further bolstering the strategic advantage of the Chinese Air Force.
In the future, as China gradually phases out older models such as the J-7, J-8, JH-7, and Su-27/J-11A, the number of J-16s in service is expected to continue growing, potentially exceeding 800 units. This would further strengthen China’s leadership in global military aviation.
However, some Chinese analysts point out that when then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in 2022, China, after issuing stern warnings, dispatched one Su-35 jet to cross the Taiwan Strait median line instead of any domestically produced aircraft. This suggests that in critical moments, the Chinese military places greater trust in Russian fighters. These analysts claim that China’s domestically produced Su-style fighters, including the J-16, have at most 80% of the Su-35’s combat capability. The U.S. is well aware of this and is therefore not concerned.