China increases J-20 production to compete with American stealth fighters
It is unclear how much longer the United States and its allies can sustain its now distinct fifth-generation airpower advantage China is ramping up mass production of its J-20 fifth-generation stealth fighter at a pace that seems to reflect a desire to com Pet e with or rival the U.S. Navy’s fifth-generation air power projection capacity. “More J-20s have been commissioned across all the eastern, southern, western, northern and central parts of China, have flown greater distances, and are playing increasingly important roles,” the Chinese government-backed Global Times newspaper says. While only a land-launched stealth fighter, a J-20 would certainly be within reach of Taiwan and other critical areas throughout the Pacific theater, something which would be extended by the use of PLA-Air Force YU-20 tanker aircraft able to refuel J-20s launched from mainland China. “With the successful development of the domestic engine, the J-20 has entered mass production, and ...