Beijing: China's second stealth fighter has made its first test-flight, state media reported on Thursday, in the latest step forward for the country's efforts to modernise its military.
The J-31, the second stealth plane to be unveiled by China in less than two years, flew for 11 minutes on Wednesday morning, the state-run Global Times cited an eyewitness as saying.
Photos posted on online by Chinese military enthusiasts appeared to show the black-painted combat plane in mid-flight. The first photos of the aircraft were leaked online last month.
China unveiled its first stealth-fighter, the J-20, in early 2011, while its first aircraft carrier entered service in October and others capable of carrying aircraft like the J-31 are expected to follow.
"The J-31 is almost certainly designed with the intention of operating on aircraft carriers," the Global Times cited a Chinese military expert as saying.
China said its defence spending will top $100 billion in 2012, the latest in a series of budget increases to the country's 2.3 million strong military.
The J-31, the second stealth plane to be unveiled by China in less than two years, flew for 11 minutes on Wednesday morning, the state-run Global Times cited an eyewitness as saying.
Photos posted on online by Chinese military enthusiasts appeared to show the black-painted combat plane in mid-flight. The first photos of the aircraft were leaked online last month.
"The J-31 is almost certainly designed with the intention of operating on aircraft carriers," the Global Times cited a Chinese military expert as saying.
Advertisement
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Opinion: Book Review | 'Yodha' Is A Mammoth Documentation Of India's Wars And Battles Did A Massive Dam In China Alter Earth's Rotation? The Truth Behind Viral Claim China Can't Defeat US If We Revive "American Dream": Vivek Ramaswamy World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage 4 Passengers Die As Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express Derails In UP Puja Khedkar's Mother Was Hiding At Lodge With Cab Driver, Used Fake ID Chartered Accountancy Final Exam Schedule For November Session Out Earliest Evidence Of Biblical Scarlet Dye Found In Israel Desert Private Sector Quota Bill To Be Taken Up In Next Cabinet Meet: Siddaramaiah Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.