China's Introduces JH-7A2 Fighter Bomber, Updated with Air-to-Ground Weapons

The Chinese military has for the first time revealed details on the latest variant of the JH-7 fighter bomber, the JH-7A2, at the Airshow China 2021 event in Zhuhai.

Displayed at the outdoor exhibition area of the air show, the aircraft looks nearly identical to the JH-7. It has better surface attack capability as it is built to carry extra surface attack weapons including stand-off air-to-surface missiles, laser-guided bombs and munitions dispensers, the Global Times reported.

The main missions of the JH-7A2 are maritime and land attack.

The JH-7A2 first made its public appearance two years ago when it participated in the Aviadarts competition in Russia as a part of the International Army Games 2019, the Xinhua News Agency reported at the time. The eport did not give any more details on the aircraft, including the difference between the JH-7A2 and the original JH-7A. The JH-7A2 did not make further public appearance until Airshow China 2021.

With the latest variant of the JH-7 being introduced at the air show, analysts said that the JH-7 series will continue to serve in the PLA for a long time despite the commissioning of the more advanced J-16 multirole fighter jet.