The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has deployed improved versions of the J-11B fighter jet, carrying out combat simulations over the South China Sea, including offensive and defensive tactical maneuvers, as well as group air battles.
The J-11B fighter’s long-range and ability to accommodate a large and powerful array of sensors make it ideal for naval operations; therefore, the new fighters were deployed to new air force bases on remote islands to boost air defense capabilities.
The J-11B is an improved version of the Soviet Su-27 Flanker heavy fighter, it entered service in the late 2000s with new engines and relies more on composite materials and more modern avionics.