PLA footage shows J-16s in simulated combat with Rafales, highlighting China’s air tactic modernisation amid rising regional tensions.
China’s state broadcaster released footage of a People’s Liberation Army exercise that simulated air combat between J-16 fighters and foreign Rafales, presenting intercepts, formation maneuvers and simulated weapons employment.
The publicly shown scenarios emphasised integrated tactics, electronic warfare and coordination with airborne surveillance, underscoring efforts to hone air-superiority and joint operational procedures as the PLA modernises its force structure.
The exercise comes amid a flurry of regional military developments: carrier movements through the Taiwan Strait, the maiden flight of new stealth and transport platforms, reported GPS and BeiDou jamming incidents in Nanjing, and reforms to weapons procurement and pricing. Those activities have heightened tensions with neighbours and drawn international attention, while Washington and regional capitals adjust defence postures.
Analysts say the war games combine operational testing with strategic signalling — refining command-and-control and tactics against Western aircraft profiles even as defence channels between Beijing and other capitals remain active. The drills illustrate how training, new platforms and information-domain incidents are being woven together into China’s evolving approach to high-end air and maritime operations.