J-16 fighter jets take off in formation

A J-16 fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade of the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command taxis on the runway before taking off for a multi-subject flight training exercise in late May 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Wang Xinwei)

Two J-16 fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade of the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command take off in formation during a multi-subject flight training exercise in late May 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Wang Xinwei)

A J-16 fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade of the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command flies to the designated airspace during a multi-subject flight training exercise in late May 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Wang Xinwei)