DOBIEMKZ Turbocharged October 12, 2021 Share October 12, 2021 U.S. Sources Claim China Could Have Over 150 J-20 Stealth Fighters in Service as Production Expands — Is It Possible? https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/china-over-150-j20-service-production-expands-possible October-12th-2021 Since entry into service in March 2017, when it became the first non-U.S. fifth generation fighter operational anywhere in the world, China’s J-20 heavyweight stealth jet has been surrounded by considerable speculation in Japan and the Western world in particular. Estimates for the number of J-20 is in service have varied widely, and while only on the 30 of the fighters have been seen based on their serial numbers the possibility that over 100 are in service, many of them in training units to familiarise the Air Force with complex new fifth-generation technologies, has been raised for some time. Most recently a report from Air Force Magazine speculated not only that China was increasing the scale of production for the J-20, but also that over 150 of the fighters could now be in service. The magazine is published by the Virginia-based professional military and aerospace education association, Air Force Association, which is closely linked to the U.S. Air Force and has a scholarship program for members of the service as well as the Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve.J-20A with WS-10C Engines New estimates of the number of J-20s operational follows a flight of 15 of the aircraft in formation at the Zhuhai Airshow (Airshow China 2021) which was held from September to October, with an additional group of the aircraft parked on the runway at the time. The ability to deploy the high value assets to an airshow in such numbers, which even with around 100 in service would represent close to one fifth of the fleet, was one indicator that there are significant numbers in service. The state run Global Times paper quoted J-20 deputy designer, Wang Hitao, saying industry could “satisfy any level of demand from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force for the J-20,” and that regarding development “particularly for equipment like the J-20, we need to do it faster in all aspects, including designing, production, testing, and crafting.” The Zhuhai Airshow saw the J-20A variant unveiled with indigenous new WS-10C engines and a number of avionics upgrades, and follows the entry of the more capable J-20B variant into production 15 months prior in July 2020. A figure of 150 J-20 stealth fighters in service, although higher than most estimates, is highly possible for a number of reasons. Comparing it to the only other heavyweight fifth generation fighter to enter large scale production, the American F-22 Raptor, the J-20 production run after entry into service is coming close to five years. The F-22 saw a production run of 187 airframes excluding prototypes despite production being terminated just six years after the aircraft entered service. Assuming a similar production rate, a figure of around 150 J-20s having left production lines is highly possible. A notable difference between the J-20 and F-22 programs is that China has long placed a much stronger emphasis on heavyweight twin engine fighters, and fields considerably more of these than the U.S. Air Force does while the American fleet outnumbers that of China in light weight low-cost single engine jets. The possibility that China is producing or intends to produce the J-20 at a much higher rate than the U.S. produced the F-22 is highly possible, with the U.S. relying on the cheaper single engine F-35 to form the bulk of its fifth-generation fleet while China will likely rely more on heavyweight twin engine jets. The possibility that China is holding out on expanding J-20 production until more capable variance of the flights are available, possibly the new J-20B or a future variant using the revolutionary WS-15 engine, is also significant. China notably surpassed the United States in 2020 in the budget allocated to military acquisitions, which combined with its defence sector’s significant advantages in efficiency, which make its fighters considerably more cost-effective, means a J-20 production run several times as large as that of the F-22 and likely comfortably exceeding 500 fighters is very possible. Unlike the F-22, which had all variants other than the original F-22A cancelled, the J-20 is expected to enter service in a wide range of variants including possibly strike, electronic warfare and even command and control variants as it enjoys a much longer production run and service life and receives growing investments over time. ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
inlinesix Supersonic October 12, 2021 Share October 12, 2021 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mersaylee Supersonic October 12, 2021 Share October 12, 2021 On 10/11/2021 at 3:25 PM, DOBIEMKZ said: I think I know what really happened under there.... Gorzilla is female right...might have mistaken it as a vibrator...angry...smashed it...😁 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macrosszero Turbocharged October 12, 2021 Author Share October 12, 2021 1 hour ago, inlinesix said: Taiwanese commentator? However many J-20 PRC actually has, Taiwan has no stealth jets, and quite mediocre 4th generation front line fighters. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macrosszero Turbocharged October 12, 2021 Author Share October 12, 2021 (edited) Double post Edited October 12, 2021 by Macrosszero Double post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beregond Supersonic October 12, 2021 Share October 12, 2021 Dun need to worry for taiwan la😄 Their soldiers are being train by USA special forces atm. I am sure they will do very well if any things happen😉 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
inlinesix Supersonic October 12, 2021 Share October 12, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Macrosszero said: Taiwanese commentator? However many J-20 PRC actually has, Taiwan has no stealth jets, and quite mediocre 4th generation front line fighters. F16-V mediocre. US will not sell F35 to Taiwan. That will trigger PLA Edited October 12, 2021 by inlinesix Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolicense Turbocharged October 12, 2021 Share October 12, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Macrosszero said: Taiwanese commentator? However many J-20 PRC actually has, Taiwan has no stealth jets, and quite mediocre 4th generation front line fighters. taiwan not looking to pre-empt bombing so stealth is not as critical. but the lack of long range AA missile is a drawback for their fighters. anyway they buy more AA missile more bang for buck. too bad they cant buy s400. lol Edited October 12, 2021 by Nolicense Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Playtime Twincharged October 12, 2021 Share October 12, 2021 52 minutes ago, Nolicense said: taiwan not looking to pre-empt bombing so stealth is not as critical. but the lack of long range AA missile is a drawback for their fighters. anyway they buy more AA missile more bang for buck. too bad they cant buy s400. lol A bit surprised they didn't try getting Brahmos from India. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolicense Turbocharged October 12, 2021 Share October 12, 2021 2 hours ago, Playtime said: A bit surprised they didn't try getting Brahmos from India. need russian approval to sell also Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Playtime Twincharged October 12, 2021 Share October 12, 2021 16 minutes ago, Nolicense said: need russian approval to sell also hmm... seems it maybe more a US than russian issue. interesting possibilities. https://thewire.in/trade/india-brahmos-exports-hostage-russia-caatsa-sale Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolicense Turbocharged October 12, 2021 Share October 12, 2021 38 minutes ago, Playtime said: hmm... seems it maybe more a US than russian issue. interesting possibilities. https://thewire.in/trade/india-brahmos-exports-hostage-russia-caatsa-sale https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/india-russian-s-400-missiles-first-batch-october-december-rosoboronexport-ceo-1805066-2021-05-21 india still buying s400 us need india more than india need us. philippine deal for brahmos i think will still proceed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaiyotakamli Supersonic October 12, 2021 Share October 12, 2021 7 hours ago, inlinesix said: F16-V mediocre. US will not sell F35 to Taiwan. That will trigger PLA Trigger? They worry taiwan submit to china and all taiwan weapons will be under china 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaiyotakamli Supersonic October 12, 2021 Share October 12, 2021 8 hours ago, Macrosszero said: Taiwanese commentator? However many J-20 PRC actually has, Taiwan has no stealth jets, and quite mediocre 4th generation front line fighters. Will china really declare how many J20s they have build? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOBIEMKZ Turbocharged October 13, 2021 Share October 13, 2021 21 hours ago, Beregond said: Dun need to worry for taiwan la😄 Their soldiers are being train by USA special forces atm. I am sure they will do very well if any things happen😉 I'm sure Taiwan will fight hard and fight well. Personally I think China attacking Taiwan is like Israel being attacked by Egypt, Jordan and Syria last time. A small democratic and independent nation will do whatever to ensure its survival and viability. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolicense Turbocharged October 13, 2021 Share October 13, 2021 1 hour ago, DOBIEMKZ said: I'm sure Taiwan will fight hard and fight well. Personally I think China attacking Taiwan is like Israel being attacked by Egypt, Jordan and Syria last time. A small democratic and independent nation will do whatever to ensure its survival and viability. lol... half of them dont want to fight. and this comparison with israel is flawed. think about how the british cut up the land for the middle east to ensure maximum conflict in the region. no surprise 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaiyotakamli Supersonic October 13, 2021 Share October 13, 2021 2 hours ago, DOBIEMKZ said: I'm sure Taiwan will fight hard and fight well. Personally I think China attacking Taiwan is like Israel being attacked by Egypt, Jordan and Syria last time. A small democratic and independent nation will do whatever to ensure its survival and viability. How to fight hard and well? Jet outnumbered, warship outnumbered, rocket outnumbered, army outnumbered and worse almost half taiwanese still pro china 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beregond Supersonic October 13, 2021 Share October 13, 2021 1 hour ago, Nolicense said: lol... half of them dont want to fight. and this comparison with israel is flawed. think about how the british cut up the land for the middle east to ensure maximum conflict in the region. no surprise Dun worry. I saw some news Japan will come to tw rescue if things happen 😉 ↡ Advertisement 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Related Discussions
Related Discussions
Military Talk Thread Part 2
Military Talk Thread Part 2
SAF Day Promotions
SAF Day Promotions
Military things
Military things
SAF eyeing F35 fighter jets & new submarines
SAF eyeing F35 fighter jets & new submarines
NS55
NS55
Aircraft Carrier in SG
Aircraft Carrier in SG
China's Military Has An Achilles' Heel : Low Troop Morale
China's Military Has An Achilles' Heel : Low Troop Morale