D
Air ForcesChina

J-16

Multirole strike fighterIn serviceFielded 2013Pending verification
Air ForcesCHN
J-16
Photo: N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeMultirole strike fighter
Date of introduction2013
ProliferationAt least 2 countries
ManufacturerShenyang Aircraft CorporationMed[1]
Crew2Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length21.9 m72 ftMed[1]
Wingspan14.7 m48 ftMed[1]
Height6.36 m21 ftMed[1]
Wing area62.04 m2Med[1]
Empty weight17,700 kg39,022 lbMed[1]
Gross weight26,000 kg57,320 lbMed[1]
Max takeoff weight35,000 kg77,162 lbMed[1]
Flight performance
Engine2 × Shenyang WS-10B afterburning turbofansMed[1]
Thrust / power96 kN (22,000 lbf) thrust each dry, 145 kN (33,000 lbf) with afterburnerMed[1]
SpeedMach 2.4Med[1]
Range3,000 km1,864 mi · 1,620 nmiMed[1]
Combat range1,500 kmMed[1]
Ferry range4,500 kmMed[1]
Service ceiling20,000 m65,617 ftMed[1]
Rate of climb325 m/sMed[1]
Protection
Heat Signature ReductionYesMed[1]
EW countermeasuresElectronic countermeasure (ECM) podsMed[1]
Chaff / flaresYesMed[1]
Armament and payload
HardpointsMunitions on twelve external hardpointsMed[1]
Bomb Weapon SystemsVarious bombs and rockets including BeiDou satellite-guided bombs and laser-guided bombsMed[1]
ArmamentGryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1; PL-12; PL-9Med[1]
Variants
J-16Strike variant.[1]
J-16DElectronic warfare variant. Equipped with wingtip electronic warfare pods, and no IRST or 30 mm cannon. It reportedly made its first flight in December 2015.[1]
Weapons and payload options · 3Confidence · Source
Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1Autocannon
Med[1]
Range
1.8 km1 mi · 1 nmi
Quantity
150 Rounds
Type
Autocannon
Caliber
30mm
Rate of fire
1,800 rounds/min
PL-12Air-to-Air Missile
Med[1]
Range
70–100 km43–62 mi · 38–54 nmi
Quantity
8 x PL-12 Air-to-Air Missiles
Type
Air-to-Air Missile
Guidance
Active radar
PL-9Air-to-Air Missile
Med[1]
Range
22 km14 mi · 12 nmi
Quantity
4 x PL-9 Air-to-Air Missiles
Type
Air-to-Air Missile
Guidance
multi-element infrared
Summary

The J-16 is a twin-engine, twin-seat multi-role fighter jet that is also capable of air-to-air combat.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
CompareShow on range mapJSON
Operators
China
Sources
  1. J-16 Chinese Multirole Strike Fighter Aircraft, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-05 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
  • 2026-10-05 Editorial correction: J-16 is not exported and is not a low-observable design
  • 2026-10-06 Added photo (CC BY-SA 4.0)