China's J-20 fighter jet made its first static display, with official media quoting netizens joking: "Too outdated, can be shown."
According to CCTV News, the Chinese Air Force aviation open event and Changchun Air Show conducted a full-element rehearsal on the 16th, with the J-20 fighter jet making its first static display. Many Chinese netizens exclaimed, "Too outdated, can be shown," and "Not stealthy, we can see it all."
The Chinese Air Force will host an aviation open event in Changchun, Jilin from September 19 to 23, during which the Changchun Air Show will also be held.
Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping told the Beijing Youth Daily that compared to aerial displays, static displays at airshows or open events generally allow visitors to view and even take photos of equipment up close. It is a rare chance to appreciate equipment details.
He noted that the J-20 is one of the PLA's main active-duty fighters, and its first static display to the public "undoubtedly reflects the PLA's current confidence and openness."
Song Zhongping said that judging from the official media's released on-site images, the J-20 on static display at this Changchun Air Show is the single-seat basic model. CCTV's mention of "too 'outdated', can be shown" is a playful internet meme complimenting the rapid iteration of military equipment, but from the Air Force's arrangements and considerations, the static display of the J-20 does indeed mean the equipment has reached a stage where it can be shown.
Song Zhongping also cited the aerial formation at the September 3 parade earlier this month as an example, stating that the J-20 fighter jet has now achieved family and series development. "In the parade, the J-20S, J-20A, and the basic J-20 all appeared together flying over the parade ground."
According to Chinese media reports, the J-20S is the world's first twin-seat stealth fighter. Unlike other J-20 variants, its most notable difference is the dual seats and a slightly raised dorsal section behind the cockpit. The J-20A, designed primarily for air superiority missions, retains the single-seat design but features upgrades to the airframe and power system, giving it better supersonic combat performance than the basic J-20.