The biennial event in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, is a rare opportunity for the public to see China's military and industrial might, while also giving international experts a chance to assess the capabilities of the rising superpower.

This year’s event featured a range of new weapons systems, including fighter jets and missiles. It also featured an area dedicated to drones for the first time, a sign of their increasingly important role on the battlefield, including in the Ukraine crisis and any potential future conflicts.

The six-day exhibition attracted nearly 600,000 visitors and more than 280 billion yuan ($39 billion) in global orders, according to Chinese state media, as well as a stop by Russia's former defense minister.

Here are some of the most notable new weapons systems on public display at the show.

J35-A stealth fighter

After more than a decade of development, China's highly anticipated new stealth fighter, the J-35A, is widely seen as part of Beijing's efforts to catch up with US stealth fighter capabilities.

The J-35A is China's second stealth fighter, after the J-20 entered service in 2017. The introduction of the J-35A makes China the second country after the United States to possess two types of stealth fighters.

Some observers have noted similarities in appearance between the J-35A and the US F-35. While unlike the F-35, which has only one turbofan engine, the J-35A is equipped with two engines.

Song Xinzhi, a Chinese military expert and former researcher with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, said the aircraft's maximum take-off weight could be as high as 30 tons, hailing it as a "breakthrough" for China's new generation of medium-range stealth fighters.

The J-35A is the fighter version for the air force, he added. “There is also a naval version, which is expected to be unveiled to the public soon,” Song said.

Military commentator Wei Dongxu claims an important feature of the J-35A is its apparent versatility.

“It can not only carry out air combat missions but also carry out precision strikes against both land and sea targets,” he said, noting that the jet can carry a variety of precision-guided munitions in its internal weapons bay, including small air-launched cruise missiles.

HQ-19 anti-ballistic missile system

Experts have been quick to compare the HQ-19, China's new generation surface-to-air missile system, with the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.

The HQ-19 is mounted on an 8x8 high-mobility vehicle, carries six interceptor missiles and uses a "cold launch" mechanism that reduces pressure on the launcher and allows rapid redeployment of interceptor missiles.

China has not disclosed the system’s specifications, and it remains unclear whether it can match THAAD’s range or attack speed. The US Department of Defense’s 2020 annual report on China’s military said the HQ-19 interceptor missile had undergone tests to verify its ability to counter ballistic missiles with a range of 3,000 kilometers.

Chinese military experts say the system is tasked with intercepting ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere, significantly expanding the interception range of previous models such as the HQ-9.

Notably, Chinese experts and state media have also claimed the HQ-19 is capable of intercepting hypersonic glide vehicles in the atmosphere.

Weapons like hypersonic glide vehicles are "very difficult to intercept because their flight trajectories are unpredictable," said Colonel Du Wenlong of the PLA Academy of Military Sciences.

"However, our radar system can track these complex trajectories and guide the missile to the final attack. Many countries intercept hypersonic warheads by deploying multiple warheads quickly, ensuring at least one hit. But with the combination of the HQ-19 missile and our radar system, this problem is solved with just one radar and one missile," he said.

Jetank Mother Drone

According to state media, the Jetank is a giant mother drone that can carry a payload of up to 6 tons, has a wingspan of 25 meters and a maximum takeoff weight of 16 tons, making it one of the largest weapons in China's arsenal.

This jet-powered attack and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has eight external hardpoints for carrying missiles and bombs, as well as a quick-swappable module for carrying a variety of smaller drones.

"It is likened to an airborne version of an aircraft carrier, allowing multiple drones to be deployed to the battlefield by launching them in the air," said Chinese military expert Du Wenlong, praising it as "a significant improvement."

Orca stealth unmanned surface combatant

Called Orca, the JARI-USV-A is a high-speed stealth unmanned surface combatant. The 500-ton vessel is designed to be highly radar-evading and has a unique tri-hull structure that helps keep it stable in rough seas.

According to China Military Online, the Orca is 58 meters long, 23 meters wide and 4 meters deep, can operate at speeds of up to 40 knots with a range of 4,000 nautical miles, allowing it to carry out extended missions without resupply.

"As an autonomous warship, it is like a mobile fortress at sea capable of performing missions such as beyond-visual-range firepower attack, air and missile defense, and anti-submarine search and attack," China Military Online said in an article on November 19.

“Such platforms can routinely conduct low- to medium-intensity military and non-military operations, such as patrolling and protection around strategic points, port bases, islands and reefs, as well as important waterways,” the report added.

Equipped with four phased array radars and vertical launch systems, the ship is said to be able to carry missiles, anti-ship missiles, anti-aircraft missiles and remotely controlled weapons stations. It also has a take-off and landing pad for unmanned helicopters at the rear and a small docking bay at the stern, which can be used to launch small underwater vehicles or sensors to detect submarines.

PL-15E air-to-air missile

China also unveiled a new version of its long-range PL-15 air-to-air missile. It has folding tail fins, a design that allows for more compact storage to accommodate the country's stealth fighters.

At the air show, the PL-15E was displayed next to a model of the J35-A stealth fighter.

According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the PL-15 is one of China's most powerful air-to-air missiles, with a range of about 200 km and a maximum speed of five times the speed of sound.

It is often compared to the US AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile.

Su-57 stealth fighter

Also on display at the air show is the Su-57, Russia's most advanced fighter jet, making its first appearance away from home.

The Su-57's overseas debut in Zhuhai sent a clear message about the close military cooperation between China and Russia.

According to the Global Times, former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who is in China for annual strategic security consultations, visited the air show to see the Su-57 aircraft on display.

At the airshow, the first contracts were signed for Russia to export the Su-57 to foreign customers, the Russian news agency Tass reported, although the identity of the buyer was not disclosed.

Ngoc Anh (according to CNN, CCTV)