Defence

China showed off the Chengdu J-10 publicly for the first time at Airshow China 2008 in Zhuhai, with two of the top-secret fighters on static and flying display. The J-10 programme was highly classified until January 2007, when state media disclosed that the type had entered active service with the nation's air force. The service could eventually order up to 300 of the single-engined J-10, which is powered by the Russian Saturn-Lyulka AL-31FN. Exports are also likely, with Pakistan favoured to be the first overseas customer for the type.

© Vladamir Karnozov