Short read: Chinese J-20 isn’t just a fighter jet—it’s a signal to US, Japan and India

As Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd valiantly tries to commission a fighter jet it has been working on since 1971, China’s fighter jet program threatens to pull ahead of America’s. That should be of interest to us not least because China sells these same fighter jets to Pakistan. Sana Hashmi writes for The Print:

“A recent China Central Television (CCTV) broadcast showed a close-range encounter over the East China Sea, where J-20 stealth fighters, codenamed “Mighty Dragon”, claimed to have intercepted foreign aircraft, likely F-35s, approaching China’s established Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ)…

In China’s military narratives, the J-20 is not just an aircraft; it is a symbol of technological independence and strategic reach. It represents China’s leap into fifth-generation fighter capabilities, combining stealth, speed, and long-range strike potential. Media coverage often features the J-20 conducting beyond-visual-range engagements under heavy electronic interference, showcasing agility and combat realism.

The replacement of Russian engines in Chinese aircraft with fully domestic ones is portrayed as a milestone in defence self-reliance. Reports indicate that China now produces J-20s at a rate that could surpass the regional presence of the US F-35. Testing of a two-seat variant, believed to support manned-unmanned teaming, signals ambitions aligned with sixth-generation airpower.

Chinese commentary highlights the J-20’s ability to avoid radar detection until it is within 80 kilometres of enemy aircraft,  creating what is described as a “one-sided battlefield”. Its rapid combat readiness, airborne within eight minutes, is regularly cited, as are tactics like “snake maneuvers” and visible bomb bay deployments, which are said to deliver both tactical and psychological advantage. Support from electronic warfare aircraft like the J-16D adds to the portrayal of integrated, high-tech combat capability.

The pilot corps itself is central to the narrative. With an average age of just 28, J-20 pilots are depicted as the face of a new generation, technically skilled, highly trained, and ideologically committed.”

Ms. Hashmi says that 5^th generation fighter jets is part of China’s broader plan ot building high tech air dominance in Asia:

“The J-20 is part of a broader ecosystem of aerial dominance. Increasingly, Chinese narratives emphasise high-altitude drones, especially the Wuzhen-7 and Wuzhen-8, as critical for surveillance and deterrence. These unmanned systems are described as flying between 20,000 and 50,000 metres at speeds above Mach 7, far beyond the tracking range of Japanese F-15Js.

The Wuzhen-8, in particular, is praised for its stealth and AI-driven systems, with some Chinese analysts calling it a “quasi-sixth-generation” platform. These drones are cast as vital ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) assets, capable of sustained operations across contested airspace. Their high speed and long endurance are seen as major advantages over regional rivals, reinforcing China’s claims to both technological and strategic superiority.”

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