(NSI News Source Info) BEIJING - May 26 2009: The Chinese air force will show off new high-tech equipment at a grand military parade planned for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Communist state, local media said Tuesday. 
There has been much speculation on the development of China's J-10 fighter. Many suggested the aircraft's design was based on the Lavi- the unsuccessful attempt by Israel to develop an indigenous F-16 fighter. Only in December 2006 did China officially acknowledged the fielding of the J-10, when the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) released videos and photos of the aircraft via China Central Television (CCTV) and Xinhua News Agency. By then, it was apparent that the J-10 has the potential of becoming one of the most significant fighters in the next few decades.
There has been much speculation on the development of China's J-10 fighter. Many suggested the aircraft's design was based on the Lavi- the unsuccessful attempt by Israel to develop an indigenous F-16 fighter. Only in December 2006 did China officially acknowledged the fielding of the J-10, when the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) released videos and photos of the aircraft via China Central Television (CCTV) and Xinhua News Agency. By then, it was apparent that the J-10 has the potential of becoming one of the most significant fighters in the next few decades.The production of the J-10 has forced China to quickly adapt to current developmental trends; in addition to utilizing other technologies (Russia, Israel) for the benefit of its final product. The results are promising. Not only does the J-10 pose a risk to the Russian fighter export market, but it considerably boosts the Chinese air force's tactical offensive capabilities, especially vis-a-vis Taiwan.
The People's Liberation Army Air Force will put on display new airplanes and surface-to-air missiles, the Beijing News reported, citing Wei Gang, the head of the air force armament department.
Among the aircraft to be showcased in the military parade planned for the center of Beijing on October 1 will be the fourth-generation J-10 fighter plane, which has rarely been seen in public.
China's air force has benefited immensely from increased military budgets in recent years and has been in the process of replacing its outdated planes with more sophisticated aircraft.
As in the past, soldiers, tanks and missiles will parade down Beijing's Avenue of Heavenly Peace on October 1 before gathering in front of the huge portrait of revolutionary leader Mao Zedong in Tiananmen Square.
The display of force is largely modeled on the former Soviet Union's military parades in Moscow's Red Square.
The 1989 parade for the 40th anniversary was canceled after the military crushed democracy protests in Tiananmen Square in June that year.
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