2024-07-21 13:10:05
Beijing: The Chinese Air Force and the United Arab Emirates Air Force are conducting the second edition of a joint air exercise called ‘Falcon Shield-2024’ in China’s Xinjiang province. In this exercise, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has deployed its two fighter aircraft J-10C and J-16. At the same time, the UAE Air Force (UAEAF) is showing strength with its Mirage-2000 fighter jet. The special thing is that the French-origin Mirage-2000 aircraft are used by China’s two major rivals India and Taiwan. In this exercise, China will also get a chance to know the power of Mirage. The UAE Defense Ministry announced the exercise on social media platform X earlier this week. The Defense Ministry said in the post, ‘Within the framework of joint cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the People’s Republic of China, announced the start of the joint military exercise ‘Falcon Shield 2024’ between the air forces of the two countries. ‘ The UAE also released two pictures showing three aircraft at an unidentified airport. However, the Chinese and UAE air forces have not yet made public the specific details of the exercise and the names of all the fighter jets deployed. The UAE air force mainly uses Western fighter jets such as the F-16 and Mirage-2000. It has an existing order for French-made Rafale fighter jets.
Why is the deployment of Mirage-2000 special for China?
The deployment of the Mirage-2000 is going to provide very important experience for China. Especially when Taiwan and India use this French fighter aircraft. The use of aircraft of Western origin and combat tactics based on Western models can be beneficial in China’s domestic training program for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). China has deployed two fourth-generation aircraft in the exercise, which currently form the backbone of the PLA Air Force. These include the J-10C, the latest version of the J-10. It is a single-engine jet fighter that can operate in all weather conditions. It features an infrared tracking target system, active electronically scanned array radar and an advanced electronic warfare system. It is also equipped with PL-15 air-to-air missiles and is powered by more powerful WS-10B engines.
China has its eyes on the Middle East
Along with this, China has also fielded the twin-engine J-16 in this exercise. This 4+ generation state-of-the-art aircraft is a multirole strike fighter, powered by the WS-10A engine. It is equipped with AESA radar. Along with this, to reduce its radar signature, the J-16 units have been decorated with such paint that it absorbs radar waves. The J-16 is also notorious for repeatedly violating Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone and intercepting foreign aircraft in the Indo-Pacific. The presence of the J-10 and J-16 is significant, as there is speculation that China is trying to sell the J-10C to Middle Eastern countries. This aircraft made its first appearance in the Middle East at the Dubai Air Show-2023.