Photographers take photo of a transport aircraft from China Air Force during the 9th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 11, 2012. The exhibition has attracted a large number of photograghers. Some of them are from media, some are from aviation industry corporations and others are big fans of aviation. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)
Flights from the China Air Force August 1st Aerobatic Team perform an air show during the opening ceremony of the 9th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 13, 2012. About 650 exhibitors in the aviation and aerospace field took part in the six-day event. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)
The 2012 Airshow China is giving military watchers a rare chance to see the latest weapons up close. China has displayed a complete set of defensive weapons systems ranging from medium and long range missiles to radar controlled, high speed guns. Our correspondent Yin Hang reports from the southern city of Zhuhai.
China's military defense systems are a highlight at this year's Airshow China. The FD-2000 self-defense surface to air missiles and the WJ 600 military drone, and the mysterious but powerful WJ-10 and WJ 19 attack helicopters have grabbed the audiences' attention.
But experts say that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Yin Lixin, senior engineer of China Aerospace Science & Industry Corp., said, "I'd like to mention the coastal defense system and unmanned combat system that we displayed this time. In the anti-ship missiles section, we displayed three series of missiles that have strong intercepting capacity. And in the unmanned combat system area, we displayed six types of unmanned aircraft, from WJ-600 to some unmanned aerial vehicles."
Meanwhile, attack weapons, air defense networks and defense confrontation systems are also displayed at the airshow this year.
The FL3000N behind me is a new generation ship self-defense missile network. It can intercept sub-sonic and super-sonic anti-ship missiles that could be used on various kinds of ships.
Xue Lin, senior engineer of China Aerospace Science & Industry Corp., said, "The most prominent feature shared by those defense systems is that your job is done after you launch it. The missile will track the target by itself, with the help of a high-accuracy infrared seeker equipped at its front."
For military layman, it might take a while to digest and understand those technical terms…But it's the "get your hands dirty" approach that is more efficient for some displayed weapons.
The heavy weight is killing me, how to be a military man.
The purpose of these displays is partly to show how China's defense capability has been strengthened in recent years. But at the same time, China is seeking customers to some of its home-grown military hardware.
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