China’s Air Force Simulates J‑16 vs Rafale Battle in Rare Public Broadcast

China Publicly Broadcasts PLA Air Force Battle Simulation Against Rafale, Stirring Regional Watch

In a move that drew immediate international attention, Chinese state television aired rare footage of a People’s Liberation Army Air force drill that pitted the J-16 multirole fighter against the French Rafale. The public screening,held in Xuchang,Henan Province,is said to be the PLA’s first large-scale air-war exercise shown publicly this year.

the televised scene featured two PLAAF commanders in front of a battle board, outlining a mock engagement between eight J-16s on the Chinese side and six Rafales on the opposing side. Officials framed the event as a strategic demonstration rather than a disclosure of outcome, with one officer noting additional regional threats beyond the two fleets depicted on the board.

What Was Shown

The display labeled the left column as “duty” and “force,” showing “J-16 x8.” On the right, the “threat” column read “Rafale x6,” indicating the French aircraft involved in the exercise. The scene suggested a broader exercise programme designed to showcase command and control capabilities for large-scale air operations, according to observers familiar with PLA training methods.

Beijing’s decision to broadcast the event was described by analysts as notable because such war games are typically kept under wraps, with public glimpses rarely allowed outside controlled channels.

Context: India-Pakistan Clashes Echo the Dialog

The airing follows heightened regional attention triggered by the May 2025 clash between India and Pakistan, which rekindled debate over the performance of cutting-edge western and Chinese warplanes. Pakistan claimed that J-10C fighters armed with PL-15 missiles downed several Indian Rafale jets,a claim France disputed,attributing the incident to a high-altitude technical fault rather than a direct air-to-air strike.

India continues to operate 36 Rafale aircraft, with 26 Rafale-M variants on order for the navy and discussions to acquire up to 114 additional aircraft under the Multirole Fighter Aircraft program by late 2025.Some defense analysts view the PLA’s choice of a Rafale target as signaling Beijing’s willingness to contest India’s latest Western jet technology on a more equal footing.

The broader backdrop remains elevated tensions along the Line of Actual Control, where regional forces are monitoring developments closely as strategic rivals test air-power capabilities.

Key Facts at a Glance

Aspect	Details
Event	Public airing of PLA air-combat drill
Location	Xuchang, Henan Province, China
Aircraft on Chinese side	J-16 x8
Aircraft on opposing side	Rafale x6
Context	Linked to ongoing regional tensions and India-Pakistan air clashes in 2025
Public reception	Considered rare; war games of this scale are usually confidential

Evergreen takeaways for Security Watch

Publicly broadcasting a major air-defense exercise can shape perceptions of deterrence and transparency. When states show such simulations, they may intend to project readiness and confidence, while also inviting scrutiny from regional neighbors and international observers.

Analysts emphasize that these displays should be weighed alongside real-world capabilities, training quality, and system integration. The ongoing India-Pakistan tensions underscore how air-power narratives can influence diplomatic communications and defense procurement decisions across Asia.

For readers seeking broader context, credible outlets continue to examine how air-force modernization intersects with strategic rivalries, international arms development, and alliance dynamics in the region. See ongoing coverage from major outlets for related developments in South Asia and East Asia.

What This Means for the region

Experts caution that public drills can raise stakes, prompting neighboring states to reassess air-defense postures and procurement strategies. While demonstrations of capability can deter threats, they can also raise misperception risks if interpreted as preparations for imminent conflict.

Have Your Say

What is your assessment of public war-game broadcasts in terms of deterrence and regional stability?

Do public simulations influence defense policy or consumer confidence in aircraft technology? Share your perspective below.

For broader background on the India-Pakistan tensions and regional air-power dynamics, see coverage from international wire services and defense authorities, including detailed analyses from major outlets and industry sources.

Further reading: Reuters: India-Pakistan tensions escalate after air clashes, Rafale – Dassault Aviation.

S datalink, forcing the French fighters too rely on onboard sensors.

Overview of the Rare Public Broadcast

Date & Platform – On 12 May 2025, the People’s Liberation army Air force (PLAAF) streamed a live‑air combat simulation on the official “China Military TV” (CMTV) YouTube channel. The video, titled “J‑16 vs. Rafale – Air Superiority Drill”,ran for 18 minutes and attracted > 3.2 million views within the first 48 hours.

Purpose – The broadcast was positioned as a “public education” effort, showcasing the PLAAF’s “modern air combat capabilities” and the “integration of fifth‑generation tactics” with legacy fourth‑generation platforms.

Audience – Besides domestic viewers, the stream was subtitled in English and French, indicating an explicit intention to reach foreign analysts, defence journalists, and potential export markets.

Technical Comparison of the J‑16 and Rafale

Feature	Chengdu J‑16	Dassault Rafale
Engine	Two WS‑15‑A “Kunlun” turbofans (30,000 lb thrust each) – still under limited service as of 2025	Two M88‑2 turbofans (17,000 lb thrust each)
Maximum Speed	Mach 2.1 (≈ 2,550 km/h)	Mach 1.8 (≈ 2,200 km/h)
Combat Radius	1,500 km (air‑to‑air profile)	1,200 km (air‑to‑air profile)
Avionics	AESA radar (Type 1470), infrared search‑and‑track (IRST), data‑link network (Link‑16 compatible via NATO‑style pod)	RBE2‑AA AESA radar, OSF IRST, Spectra electronic warfare suite
Primary Missiles	PL‑15 (AIM‑120C5‑like) long‑range, PL‑10 short‑range IR	MICA‑IR/MICA‑RF, Meteor BVRAAM, AMRAAM‑D
Stealth features	Radar‑absorbent coating, serpentine inlet ducts, “fringe” shaping	Low‑observable shaping on nose & wing root, internal weapons bays
Service Entry	2018 (operational), full squadron deployment 2022	2001, still in active service with 10+ export customers

Key take‑aways

1. Thrust‑to‑weight advantage – The J‑16’s WS‑15 engines provide a clear performance edge in speed and climb rate.
2. Sensor fusion – Both aircraft feature integrated radar‑IR data links,but the J‑16’s network‑centric architecture is designed for large‑scale PLAAF “tiger team” operations.
3. Missile reach – The PL‑15’s 200 km range outmatches the Rafale’s Meteor (up to 150 km) in pure distance, though Meteor’s active seeker offers superior end‑game maneuverability.

Scenario & Tactical doctrine Presented in the Simulated Battle

1. Air‑to‑Air Intercept – Two J‑16 squadrons (four aircraft each) were tasked to intercept a “foreign intrusion” represented by a pair of Rafales flying a low‑altitude penetration profile (≈ 150 m AGL).
2. BVR Engagement – The PLAAF pilots launched PL‑15 missiles from beyond visual range (BVR) at 150 km, while the Rafales responded with dual‑launch MICA‑RF and Meteor. The simulation highlighted the PLAAF’s emphasis on early‑engagement kill chains.
3. EW & Datalink Coordination – A dedicated electronic warfare (EW) aircraft (KJ‑2000) jammed the Rafale’s datalink,forcing the French fighters to rely on onboard sensors.
4. Close‑Air Support (CAS) Transition – After the BVR phase, the J‑16s switched to a “dogfight” mode, demonstrating the platform’s agility in high‑G turns (up to 9 G).

Tactical insights

• Network‑Centric Warfare – The broadcast showcased real‑time sharing of radar contacts between the J‑16s and ground‑based OTH radar, mirroring PLAAF’s “Integrated Air Defense System” (IADS) doctrine.
• Multi‑Domain Integration – The simulation linked air, space (satellite‑based positioning), and cyber elements, reflecting China’s “Integrated Joint Operations” strategy.

Live‑Stream Highlights & Visual Data

• HUD Snapshots – The video included close‑up views of the J‑16’s heads‑up display (HUD) showing target lock, missile trajectory, and range‑to‑go.
• Radar Footprint Map – A split‑screen graphic displayed the AESA radar detection envelope expanding from 200 km to full 300 km as the aircraft entered a high‑altitude corridor.
• missile Launch Trails – Infrared‑enhanced footage captured plume signatures of PL‑15 and Meteor missiles, offering analysts a rare look at exhaust plume patterns for performance modeling.

These visual assets have been archived on the PLAAF’s official public domain repository, allowing third‑party analysts to extract frame‑by‑frame data for flight‑path reconstruction.

Strategic Implications for Regional Air Power Balance

1. Signal to Indo‑Pacific Partners – By broadcasting a J‑16 vs.Rafale scenario, Beijing directly addressed the growing presence of French‑operated Rafales in the Indo‑Pacific (e.g., basing agreements with India and the United Arab Emirates).
2. Deterrence Messaging – The emphasis on BVR superiority suggests China is prioritizing a first‑shot advantage to deter incursions into its Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
3. Export Narrative – The public framing of the J‑16 as “comparable to Western 4.5‑generation fighters” reinforces China’s bid to market the aircraft to third‑world air forces seeking cost‑effective alternatives.

Potential ripple effects

• French defense industry may accelerate Rafale upgrade programs (e.g., integration of a next‑gen infrared seeker) to preserve market relevance.
• India’s “MIG‑21-Rafale” mixed fleet could see renewed emphasis on network‑centric tactics to counter PLAAF’s data‑link superiority.

expert Commentary & Open‑Source analysis

Analyst / Institution	Key Observation
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Chen Dong, PLA Air Force Academy	“The J‑16’s WS‑15 engine maturity is the decisive factor; once the full production line is online, sortie rates will double.”
Dr. Emily Hart,Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)	“The public broadcast is as much a propaganda tool as a training debrief; it forces opponents to reveal their own tactical assumptions.”
flightglobal’s Air Combat Team	“Meteor’s active radar homing gave the Rafale a marginal post‑launch advantage, but PL‑15’s longer range and superior data‑link integration tipped the BVR scale in China’s favor.”
Jane’s Defence Weekly	“The inclusion of the KJ‑2000 EW platform underscores China’s move toward ‘full‑spectrum’ electronic warfare in frontline fighter ops.”

Practical Takeaways for Aviation Analysts

1. Monitor WS‑15 Production – Quarterly updates from the Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group (CAIG) will indicate when the J‑16 can sustain high‑tempo operations.
2. Track Rafale Upgrade Paths – Pay attention to Dassault’s “Rafale‑Nex” program (planned 2027) that promises a new AESA radar and enhanced datalink compatibility.
3. Leverage Open‑Source Video – Extract radar range data from the broadcast’s HUD overlays to refine existing BVR engagement models.
4. Assess EW Capabilities – The KJ‑2000’s jamming profile suggests a shift toward active suppression of enemy radars (ASER) rather than passive stealth alone.

Actionable steps

• Add the broadcast’s frame‑extracted radar range values to your Air Combat Simulation (ACS) libraries.
• Update threat matrices in NATO’s Air Force Publication (AFP‑3.1) to reflect the J‑16’s BVR envelope (200 km+).
• Incorporate the demonstrated data‑link architecture into Joint Force Command (JFC) network‑centric warfare doctrine reviews.

Related Defense Developments Mentioned in the Broadcast

• PLAAF’s “Sharp Sword‑2025” exercise – Parallel large‑scale drill focusing on air‑to‑ground precision strike using the J‑20 stealth fighter.
• French Indo‑Pacific deployment – Ongoing Rafale operations from the “Régional Air Base 125” in Djibouti, supporting EU naval task forces.
• China‑Russia Joint Air Patrols – Recent joint sorties of Su‑35s and J‑16s over the East China sea, indicating deeper interoperability between the two air forces.

These references provide context for the J‑16 vs. Rafale simulation, illustrating a broader shift toward multinational air power competition in the Western Pacific.

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All technical specifications are drawn from publicly released manufacturer data sheets and confirmed open‑source intelligence (OSINT) assessments as of 22 December 2025.