China’s top aircraft manufacturer has revealed specifications of an advanced stealth fighter jet in a bid to lure foreign buyers, the official China Daily reported on Friday.
In a rare disclosure, the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic) unveiled the capabilities of the J-31 aircraft at an aviation show, even though the jet is still being tested, the newspaper said.
Avic officials have made no secret of the fact that they are seeking foreign buyers for the aircraft, hoping to compete with Lockheed Martin’s F-35.
Countries that cannot buy weaponry from the United States (US) have increasingly sought them from China, particularly because Chinese arms are often cheaper.
Avic said the fifth-generation fighter jet, which has a 1,200 kilometre combat range and a top speed of 2,205 kph, is designed to be in service for up to 30 years, the China Daily reported.
It has a maximum payload capacity of 8 metric tons, the newspaper said.
An Avic executive said last year the jet could “take down” foreign rivals in the sky.
The twin-engine J-31 took its maiden flight in 2012.