Part 2: A Look At China's Display From The Paris Air Show
June 20, 2023
Wing Loong WL-2H
Credit: Mark Wagner/ Aviation Images
The WL-2H, a civil variant of one of China's premier uncrewed combat air vehicles, is on display in the exhibit halls at the Paris air show. AVIC, the WL-2H manufacturer, has said that the WL-2H has recently been used in cloud-seeding operations to relieve regional drought conditions in China.
China's H-6K, KJ-500 and Y-20
Credit: Mark Wagner/ Aviation Images
Models of three of China's largest and most modern combat aircraft are displayed in Paris. The aircraft included the newly-modernized H-6K conventional bomber and the KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft (AEW&C). The displays also included an AEW&C variant of the Y-20A transport. The latter was been flown to Serbia last year to deliver a load of surface to air missiles ordered by Belgrade.
Y-20
Credit: Mark Wagner/ Aviation Images
China fielded the Y-20 airlifter with Solovyev D-30 turbofans, but is developing a domestic alternative called the WS-20.
GJ-11
Credit: Mark Wagner/ Aviation Images
The GJ-11 Sharp Sword had been in development for several years before making a public debut during the National Day Parade in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2019.
Z-10me
Credit: Mark Wagner/ Aviation Images
The Changhe Z-10 entered service in China more than a decade ago and recently was exported to Pakistan, the first foreign customer for the two-seat attack helicopter.
FC-31
Credit: Credit: Mark Wagner/ Aviation Images
Credit: Mark Wagner/ Aviation Images
China's air force introduced the J-20 stealth fighter with Russian-supplied Salyut Al-31 turbofan engines, but reportedly is close to completing development of locally-made WS-15s.
A few photos from China's display from the Paris Air Show 2023, including the FC-31, the Y-20 and the Xian H-6K. View Part 1.
