The J-16 fighter of the Chinese People's Liberation Army has always attracted much attention, not only with strong combat effectiveness at home and abroad, but also with excellent performance. Recently, it has been reported that the PLA has more than 400 J-16 fighters, which has aroused widespread concern and speculation. How exactly does the PLA assess how many J-16 fighters it needs?
In recent years, the PLA's J-16 fighter has grown and has become an important part of China's military strength. Whether it's its super-forced air capability, as well as its excellent maneuverability and advanced weapon systems, it makes it one of the finest multi-role fighters of our time.
It is understood that since the debut of the J-16 fighter, China's domestic production has exceeded 400. This number is really surprising, but does it mean that the PLA is saturated with numbers and no longer needs more J-16 fighters?
Faced with this question, we interviewed Mr. Li Ming, a military expert. He said that the PLA's more than 400 J-16 fighters are indeed a huge size, but it does not mean that the required number has been reached.
Mr. Li Ming explained that in the context of the modernization of the PLA, having an appropriate number of J-16 fighters is essential to maintain national security. First of all, China has a vast territory and many surrounding seas, and needs to ensure air security in the border areas. Secondly, with the changes in the international situation, the PLA may need to carry out combat missions in multiple theaters, so the demand for the number of fighters is also relatively high.
According to the PLA's own needs assessment and analysis of the future war situation, experts believe that the demand for the PLA's J-16 fighter still has some room for growth. Although the current number can meet the needs of daily training and conventional operations, it is still necessary to moderately increase the number of J-16 fighters in consideration of the strategic considerations of technological upgrading and expanding the scale of military strength.
To sum up, the PLA J-16 fighters have exceeded 400, but it does not mean that the saturation point has been reached. According to military experts, a modest increase in the number of J-16 fighters remains essential for maintaining national security and strategic needs. We appreciate the continuous efforts of the PLA in enhancing its military strength and safeguarding national interests.