News Story: STOVL fighter in development in China

Yak-141 Freestyle (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki Commons)

AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group Company may be developing a new short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) fighter, according to Duowei News, a media outlet run by overseas Chinese.

The official Weibo account of the PLA Daily, the mouthpiece of the People's Liberation Army, reposted an article entitled "How will China develop its STOVL fighter?" on May 9, according to the website.

The article, first published on National Defense Reference, a magazine under the PLA Daily brand, stated that China's navy has been equipping itself with large landing crafts, supply ships, transport ships and amphibious assault ships. Different aircraft, including STOVL aircraft and helicopters, can take off from and land on the afterdecks of these ships.

The article stated that amphibious assault ships will play an increasingly important role in attempts to assert territorial claims and defend the political interests of different nations around the globe. In this context, STOVL fighters have become the second most important aspect of military conflict. The article called for China to accelerate its development of STOVL aircraft and stated that Russia can likely offer help to China with its experience and technological know-how in the field.

Read the full story at Want China Times