Following their impressive flight performances at the World Defence Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, seven J-10 fighter jets from the August 1st Aerobatics Team of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force completed a direct return journey to China. Accompanied and supported by the YU-20 aerial tanker, they landed at an airport in western China on Saturday.
During their return flight, the J-10 fighter jets, flying in formation above snow-capped mountains, left trails of colored smoke, conveying Lunar New Year’s greetings to the people of China. Chinese military expert Zhang Xuefeng highlighted the unique form of sending New Year’s wishes, contributing to the festive atmosphere of China’s Lunar New Year celebration.
Covering a distance of nearly 4,000 kilometers on their return journey before entering Chinese airspace, the J-10 fighter jets underwent successful mid-air refueling with the YU-20 aerial tanker. This capability reduces the reliance on ground airports, marking a practical advancement in the PLA Air Force’s operational capabilities.
Zhang emphasized the significance of such a one-stop direct flight, indicating that the PLA Air Force’s public announcement of the August 1st Aerobatics Team’s direct flight to and from Saudi Arabia reflects the normalization of long-distance flights and aerial refueling as part of their daily training.