Chinese scientists claim a breakthrough with the development of the world's first two-dimensional airborne air cooled active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar for fighters of both the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF).

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Chinese military experts said the new AESA system is an upgrade of the fighter jets' existing radar system.

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China's Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute said the development of their two-dimensional airborne air cooled active AESA fire control radar has been tested during flight evaluations.

The air cooling system of the new radars reduces the weight burden borne by jets, making them fly faster. The change cycle has also been reduced, which might greatly improve the jets' combat capability.

Chinese military experts said the system could enhance China's national defense capabilities; lead to further progress in developing scientific research hardware and increase the international competitiveness of China's airborne radar system.

There is one major drawback to this new system, however.

The system can only be installed on Shenyang J-11B and J-11D air superiority fighters. There are fewer than 150 fighters of both variants in service with the PLAAF and the PLANAF.

The limited applicability of the new AESA system is because the data control bus on other variants of the J-11 isn't compatible with the new system. In addition, it will be very costly to upgrade to this new fire control system.

China claims the new radar system can detect third-generation jet fighters 200 kilometers away and intercept medium range air-to-air missiles. Pakistan is apparently interested in using the new radar system for its JF-17 Block 3 fighter jets, which were jointly developed by Pakistan and China.

It's unlikely the new radar system will be used in countries that do not operate Chinese-made fighter jets.