China’s Stealth Fighter Air Force Is Nearing ‘Juggernaut Status’
By
Isaac Seitz
August 20 2025
J-35A Stealth Fighter from China. Image Credit: Chinese Military.
Key Points and Summary – China’s aerospace industry has rapidly evolved from copying Soviet designs to directly challenging U.S. air superiority through both quality and unprecedented quantity.
-In 2025 alone, China is projected to build 120 J-20 stealth fighters, massively outpacing the planned U.S. acquisition of just 24 F-35s.
-This staggering production scale is matched by indigenous innovation, including advanced engines, the J-35 carrier-based fighter for its new supercarrier, and the development of sixth-generation concepts.
-This dual focus on mass production and future technology poses a formidable threat to America’s long-held dominance in the air.
China’s Air Force Is Becoming More Powerful By the Second
Over the past several decades, China has transitioned from copying old Soviet designs to developing a large fleet of fifth-generation stealth
fighters.
Currently, China is working on its second fifth-generation fighter, as well as its first sixth-generation fighter, the J-36 and J-50.
This jump in technological sophistication did not happen overnight.
The transformation of China’s aerospace industry is the result of decades of effort and a change in strategy, favoring domestic production and
modernization.
A Brief History of China’s Aerospace Industry
China’s aerospace industry began its development during the Cold War,
heavily influenced by Soviet technology and doctrine. In the 1950s and 1960s, China relied on licensed production of Soviet aircraft such as the MiG-15 and MiG-19, which were rebranded as the J-5 and J-6 respectively.
The Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) severely disrupted scientific and industrial progress, stalling aerospace innovation.
However, by the late 1970s and early 1980s, China began to reorient its defense strategy, emphasizing modernization and self-reliance. The reform era under Deng Xiaoping saw increased investment in domestic research and development, leading to the creation of indigenous designs like the J-8 interceptor. Despite these efforts, China’s aerospace capabilities remained limited compared to Western and Soviet standards, with most aircraft lacking advanced avionics, radar, and engine technology.
The post-Cold War era marked a turning point. Following the Gulf War in 1991, China recognized the importance of high-tech warfare and
began accelerating its aerospace modernization.
The 1990s and early 2000s witnessed a blend of imported Russian technology, including the
Su-27 and Su-30.
By the 2010s, China had launched its fifth-generation fighter program, resulting in the J-20 stealth fighter, which entered service in 2017. The development of the J-35 and other advanced platforms, along with breakthroughs in engine technology, radar systems, and avionics, signaled China’s emergence as a global aerospace power.
Today, China’s aerospace industry is characterized by
rapid innovation, high production capacity, and a growing emphasis on indigenous design, positioning it as a formidable competitor to the United States and other advanced nations in both military and civilian aviation sectors.
China’s Broadening Ambitions
At the heart of China’s strategy is the
desire to achieve air superiority and extend its power projection capabilities. The J-20, with its
stealth design, long-range capabilities, and advanced avionics, is tailored for operations far beyond China’s borders.
It is particularly suited for missions in contested regions such as the South China Sea, the
Taiwan Strait, and the Western Pacific. This marks a significant shift in China’s military doctrine, from a focus on territorial defense to a more assertive, expeditionary posture. The J-20’s ability to intercept high-value targets like AWACS and refueling aircraft gives China a strategic advantage in denying adversaries access to critical airspace.
China’s push toward indigenous innovation is another driving force behind its investment in fifth-generation fighters. Historically dependent on
Soviet/Russian technology, China has made
notable progress in developing its own engines, such as the WS-10C and the more advanced WS-15.
These engines offer supercruise capability, allowing sustained supersonic flight without afterburners, which enhances both performance and stealth. The shift to domestic production not only reduces reliance on foreign suppliers but also signals China’s growing confidence in its aerospace industry.
Quality and Quantity
What’s more concerning is China’s ability to mass-produce these advanced components.
In 2025 alone, China is
expected to procure up to 120 J-20s, a figure that dwarfs the U.S. Air Force’s planned acquisition of just 24 F-35s. This production scale is supported by a defense budget exceeding $230 billion, enabling rapid fleet expansion despite the high unit cost of approximately $110 million per J-20.
The
Shenyang J-35, a lighter and more cost-effective counterpart to the J-20, complements this strategy.
While it has more limited range and payload, its lower operational costs and maintenance requirements make it suitable for broader deployment. This high-low mix of aircraft
mirrors U.S. strategies with the F-22 and F-35, but China’s simultaneous serial production of both classes is unprecedented.
China’s advancements in aerospace development go
hand-in-hand with the expansion of its naval capabilities. The J-35 is being adapted for operations aboard China’s new supercarrier, the Fujian, which is expected to enter service by the end of 2025.
This integration enhances China’s blue-water navy capabilities, allowing it to project air power from sea platforms and compete with U.S. carrier strike groups. Carrier-based stealth fighters are essential for securing maritime dominance, conducting reconnaissance, and executing precision strikes in contested waters.
The deployment of the J-35 on carriers marks a significant step toward a fully modernized and integrated naval aviation force.
A Direct Challenge to the U.S.
China’s rapid development of fifth- and sixth-generation fighters poses a direct challenge to U.S. air superiority. While the U.S. has faced delays and budget constraints, China
continues to unveil new prototypes and expand its stealth fleet.
The J-36 and
J-50, both sixth-generation concepts, feature advanced designs. While we cannot say anything definitive about these sixth-generation prototypes (assuming they are even that advanced), the development of these fighters suggests that China is not only catching up with the West but may be surpassing it in certain areas.
China’s dual-track development of fifth- and sixth-generation fighters ensures long-term competitiveness. While the J-20 and J-35 address the PLAAF’s current needs, the J-36 and J-50 are being prepared for future warfare scenarios.
This forward-looking strategy positions China to maintain technological superiority well into the 2030s and beyond. It also suggests a comprehensive understanding of what does and doesn’t work in today’s network-centric battlefields.
