China's most advanced stealth fighter jet, J-20, will be performing at the upcoming Airshow China 2018 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province between November 6 to 11 with a new look and new formations, People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force spokesperson Shen Jinke confirmed on Friday.
The J-20 was not featured on the participation list the air show's organizer released on October 27. But four J-20s were seen in the skies above Zhuhai on Tuesday flying in formation, which led military observers to believe the aircraft will be on display at the show.
Shen said that China's independently developed heavy-lift multi-purpose transport aircraft Y-20 will also conduct flight performances.
For static displays, the PLA will bring the likes of the H-6K bomber, the KJ-500 early warning aircraft, the J-10B fighter jet, the Y-9 transportation aircraft and the Z-10K helicopter, Shen said.
The GJ-2 unmanned aerial vehicle will also make its first appearance at the air show. The domestically made drone is capable of both reconnaissance and attacks at mid to high altitudes, and can play an important role in China's border patrol and counter-terrorism missions, Shen said.
Aerial defense and anti-missile equipment, including the HQ-9B and the HQ-22, will also join the show, he said.
The Bayi Aerobatics Team of the PLA Air Force and the Red Falcon Air Demonstration Team of the PLA Air Force Aviation University in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin Province will join foreign performance teams in the sky at the show, Shen said.
Shen said that November 11 marks the 69th anniversary of China's PLA Air Force's founding, and the air force will share its birthday present with the public at a variety of celebration activities.
The PLA Air Force will bring a "special surprise" with its ''strongest lineup" on November 11, Shen said. However, he did not indicate what the surprise might be.
