Posted on 02/27/2018 6:24:46 AM PST by BBell
This is perhaps the most authoritative portrayal so far of Indian air power as a threat to China
With China’s air force deploying its “latest stealth jet fighter” – the J-20 Chengdu – one of the provocations could be the Indian Air Force (IAF) deployment of its top-of-the-line Sukhoi-30MKI fighter in Assam, near the disputed Sino-India border. The English language website “China Military Online” – an official People’s Liberation Army (PLA) news outlet – quoted an expert to state on Monday that the J-20 has been urgently operationalised because of the threat posed by the US, Japan, South Korea and India. This is perhaps the most authoritative portrayal so far of Indian air power as a threat to China.
China Military Online states it is “Authorized by the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and sponsored by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Daily.”
The J-20, which is China's first stealth fighter, made its maiden flight in 2011. It was first unveiled at China’s Zhuhai Air Show in 2016 and began delivery to the PLAAF in March 2017. Assuming it has no major flaws, this is an incredibly fast development trajectory, especially compared to the American F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter. On February 9, an official statement on the Weibo account of the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) had revealed that the J-20 had been deployed with combat units. Meanwhile, China is developing a second stealth fighter, the FC-31, which will fly off PLA Navy aircraft carriers. Beijing also hopes to target the international market with the FC-31. The J-20 is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter that has an exceptionally long range and can fly faster than 2,000 kilometers per hour. Its radar-scattering airframe, constructed from advanced, radar-absorbing materials makes it hard to detect at long ranges. In wartime, experts assess that the PLAAF would use the J-20 to strike enemy “force multiplier” aircraft like refuelling tankers, reconnaissance aircraft and airborne command posts.
Alternatively, it could be used for “stealth strikes”, slipping past enemy radars to attack high-value targets, warships or communication facilities. While the J-20 is unquestionably the PLAAF’s most advanced fighter, aerospace experts also point to significant weaknesses. The South China Morning Post, a reputed Hong Kong newspaper, has reported that China is still struggling to develop the Xian WS-15 engines (codenamed Emei) that the J-20 was built to fly with. As a stop-gap, the J-20 is flying with the less powerful WS-10B Taihang engine, compromising its performance.
Mirroring India’s struggles with the Kaveri engine, Chinese scientists have failed to crack the challenge of developing “single crystal” turbine blades that can withstand the extreme temperatures in the combustion chamber of a high-performance fighter. The Post concluded that the J-20 would only enter mass production when the WS-15 is performing suitably, which could take as long as eight years. Meanwhile, the US Air Force has begun deploying the F-35 in Japan’s Kadena air base. Japan, which has a F-35 production plant in-country, has 42 F-35s on order. South Korea will get its first F-35s this year, with 40 due to be delivered by 2021. Singapore too seems likely to opt for the F-35. Experts believe this rising threat might have rushed Beijing into prematurely introducing the J-20 into service. As this newspaper first reported (February 15, IAF looks to buy fifth-generation F-35 fighter) the IAF too has begun weighing the advantages of buying the US fifth-generation stealth fighter.
Gee l wonder where they got the design from?
Sorry but India does not stand a chance against China.
I say take over those islands they’re building and give them to India. Just wait until they’re completed.
“” “” Sorry but India does not stand a chance against China.”” “”
I wouldn’t be so sure. Indians proved to be capable warriors time and again. And every time the Chinese ‘won’ the war they had someone else do it for them. They are yet to take on Vietnam, let alone India. A lot of new hardware doesn’t make a capable military.
Sorry but India does not stand a chance against China.
Neither does the F-35 ...
India has a terrain advantage and a few other advantages.
“Neither does the F-35 ...”
On the other hand, the F-22 would eat the J-20 for lunch.
On the other hand, the F-22 would eat the J-20 for lunch.
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Only if the 20 could not preform its primary mission of taking out the 22’s AWACS, otherwise the opposite.
“Only if the 20 could not preform its primary mission of taking out the 22’s AWACS, otherwise the opposite.”
I would assume (maybe incorrectly) that there would be escorts, especially knowing what China’s battle plan is for AWACS and other battle support aircraft. The other question would be, could a J-20 actually reach the AWACS without having to refuel and if that’s the case, wouldn’t we be following that same strategy?
Let me know when the engagement begins ...
Sorry but India does not stand a chance against China................ ???? Maybe they’re just being quiet as they build themselves up? They don’t have all those great military propaganda parades but they are building up their military. China doesn’t like to be boxed in, and if China sees build up, you can be assured they will act accordingly. They are looking out for #1.
“Let me know when the engagement begins ...”
I’ll call you.
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