J-20 fighter jet Photo: CFP

Yang Wei, chief designer of China's J-20 stealth fighter jet, said that during the country's 14th Five-year Plan (2021-25), Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) will develop the capability of H-6 series bombers and will speed up research into new strategic weapons and equipment, to further strengthen long-range strategic strike capability for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force.

Yang also said there were more than J-20 fighter jets in the air during the flight performance for the ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China on July 1, and "there were more on the ground."

Yang, who is also executive vice president of AVIC, made the remarks at a press conference held by AVIC in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province on Sunday, one day ahead of the China Airshow 2021.

During the 13th Five-year Plan period, AVIC has achieved a series of goals, including building the advanced J-20 fighter jet for the air force and improving the H-6 series bombers, giving the PLA Air Force greater long-range strategic strike capability.

Yang also said AVIC is the main provider of medium and high-end military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in China. Many UAVs used in the Chinese air force are produced by the company.  

The company's YL-1 and YL-2 have been exported to numerous countries and achieved excellence in actual combat. The company has also made a series of military UAV products, such as the large fixed wing Yilong series, the medium and small Yunying fixed wing series and the Xuange rotorcraft series. 

Meanwhile, the company has also adapted its military products for civil uses like environmental protection, meteorological observation and drug enforcement. For example, in the Henan floods this year, local authorities used a YL-2 drone to fly to flood-hit areas to fix the communications network.