ZHUHAI, China, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Chinese planemaker COMAC has rebranded its ARJ21 regional jet as the C909, aligning the plane with the state-owned firm's naming convention for its other models as it seeks to present itself as an alternative to dominant Western planemakers.

China becomes the second country, after the US, to operate two stealth fighters, following the F-22 and F-35 in the US Air Force.

Air China and COMAC have reportedly signed a framework agreement for the airline to become the launch customer for the C929 long-haul widebody aircraft.

COMAC said on Tuesday that Air China would be the launch customer for the Chinese planemaker's C929 widebody aircraft under development that is designed to compete with twin-aisle models from Airbus and Boeing .

Comac has also officially renamed its ARJ21 regional jet programme to the C909, in line with the naming convention of its other two programmes the C919 and C929.

COMAC announced at China's largest air show in Zhuhai that Air China will be the first to operate the C929 widebody aircraft. This Chinese-manufactured plane aims to compete with Western models from Airbus and Boeing,

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) announced that Air China is the first customer for its C929

Chinese planemaker COMAC has rebranded its ARJ21 regional jet as the C909, aligning the plane with the state-owned firm's naming convention for its other models as it seeks to present itself as an alternative to dominant Western planemakers.