The J-20 Challenge: Can India Bridge the Fighter Jet Gap With China?

[PakAl]

Why is china slow with J-20s production ? You may say the production rate is justified, but I think if you compare China'# manufacturing capabilities with it's J-20 production line, it's not.

China has nearly 2000 4th 4.5th and 5th generation planes. They don't need to invest heavily in to J20s production, instead they're investing in to newer technologies and keep on improving their weaponary. In another 10 years they will introduce complete new technologies so its better for them to slowly build up their force as older tech needs replacement, which cost alot.

 

[harpy1]

China has nearly 2000 4th 4.5th and 5th generation planes. They don't need to invest heavily in to J20s production, instead they're investing in to newer technologies and keep on improving their weaponary. In another 10 years they will introduce complete new technologies so its better for them to slowly build up their force as older tech needs replacement, which cost alot.

This number is nonsense 1000 j20 would be horrendous in cost to buy and worse to maintain

China will build 250 more avd then focus on j31 and sixth generation fighters

Investing in a one design will.impact funding for j31 numbers
Sixth generation numbers
Carrier development
Unmanned combat vehicles
Etc

By 2040
Plaaf
Will have
500 j20 in two blocks
500 j31
500j10
500 various flankers
200 stealth bombers

Awesome air force with 6th arrival in small no's

 

[PakAl]

This number is nonsense 1000 j20 would be horrendous in cost to buy and worse to maintain

China will build 250 more avd then focus on j31 and sixth generation fighters

Investing in a one design will.impact funding for j31 numbers
Sixth generation numbers
Carrier development
Unmanned combat vehicles
Etc

By 2040
Plaaf
Will have
500 j20 in two blocks
500 j31
500j10
500 various flankers
200 stealth bombers

Awesome air force with 6th arrival in small no's

Great airforce, Usa will have around 2500 fighter jets so China will maintain a similar level force. 5th generation are very expensive planes to maintain. China will need a cost effective 5th generation so I am assuming J31 will be that plane, I expect the numbers to top 1000 J31s, J20 is a heavy fighter, almost like a bomber so must be expensive and also is it needed in high numbers? Usa is ordering majority of F35s and ordered more F15s.

 

[Bhojpuranchali]

To be honest. I don't understand why India needs to assemble its own 5th generation fighter jets. According to Indian Air Force officials ~ the 36 Rafale can defeat the 200 J-20

So. If India wants to continue to maintain "this superiority" over the Chinese Air Force. In 2035. India only needs 181 Rafale fighter jets.

There is a perception in India that Chinese products are of low quality, which is why they often make fun of the J-20. It's common in India to refer to anything of bad quality as "Chinese quality."

 

[Deino]

Who in the Chinese airforce or government said that they are planning for 1000 jets?

No-one!

There is a perception in India that Chinese products are of low quality, which is why they often make fun of the J-20. It's common in India to refer to anything of bad quality as "Chinese quality."

Yes for sure… just check the manufacturing quality of a Tejas vs a J-10C or even J-20 and you know what this Indian saying is worth !

 

[Justin TruDont]

Short answer is No

India currently has 600 fighters spread across 30 squadrons

We would be lucky to field 700 fighters or 35 sqds by 2035 since that too will require MRFA to be finalized at the earliest .

Without MRFA the numbers would stand around 630 fighters across 32 sqds

 

[Justin TruDont]

Great airforce, Usa will have around 2500 fighter jets so China will maintain a similar level force. 5th generation are very expensive planes to maintain. China will need a cost effective 5th generation so I am assuming J31 will be that plane, I expect the numbers to top 1000 J31s, J20 is a heavy fighter, almost like a bomber so must be expensive and also is it needed in high numbers? Usa is ordering majority of F35s and ordered more F15s.

USAF will field around 1750 F35As and 180 F22 backed up by around 144 F15EX and 300 F16 Blk 60s not to mention another 76 B52s, 100 B21 and 20 B2 bombers

USAF will be Majority 5th gen fighter force while USN will continue to fly around 600+ F/A18 Super Hornets apart from Around 350 F35Cs and 200 F35Bs

 

[RealNapster]

I really love the feature of vertical take off and landing capabilities, that take them a another level, f22 and F35.

I strongly believe that stealth advantages will go soon, 4++ aircrafts will have bigger role to play once ground stations will be able to detect those stealth fighters. Other advantages will go off also if these will go offensive on enemy lands if those countries will have capabilities

These fighters only will be have better advantages those will not having good radars t detect... Even stealth fighter of USa was shoot down two - decades ago.

There is a hole in your argument. Enemy capabilities of 5th generation fighters detection will increase and the current advantages may go off, BUT, it will keep evolving just like the enemy force. Both sides will grow, what matters is the cost of growth, time taken to cover leaps, and the gap (in years) between technologies of attacker and defender forces

 

[RealNapster]

Because we need to reserve several production lines for the 6th generation fighter jets.

Of course, if the J-20 can be exported. The production quantity of J-20 will increase significantly. But it's not necessary now.

You are leaving several production lines for a jet that don't exist ?


And forget about exports, China's own requirement of J-20 is around 1500 at least.

 

[johncliu88]

Very interesting topic. Why would China need 1000 J-20's? From the Indian's mind set, one Rafale can take on 4x J-20's not to mention the Tejas which can beat any fighter jet like F-22, J-20 and etc. in the world. Lol!

 

[panzerfaust 3]

India in the near future will have 3 - 1 airforce, navy etc advantage over Pakistan. Pakistan cannot challenge them so we are investing in strategic forces to make sure India doesn't dare to attack us.

We have no Intention of attacking Pakistan, you must have noticed in the previous engagements that we are avoiding war( even if it's limited skirmishes) at all costs
Truth is India is not looking for a war like situation in any foreseeable future

The priority is economic development ,

China will go way ahead of India but Indian economy and investment in to defence will make sure they'll have enough power to handle China.

We are thinking the same but clearly 5th gen has its own advantages,
We were better off with sukhoi 57 ,we would have gotten the fighters in small numbers by now ,but the problem was the work share and Russians expected us to finance their whole new fighter development and design and we weren't getting anything in return!

 

[harpy1]

The j20 by virtue of size look avd design is massive
Twin engined super fighter but must be horrendous expensive to fly build maintain
China will build the j31 cheaper slicker avd have that as it's mainstay fifth generation fighter
USA kept raptors at low numbers for same reason

 

[PakAl]

We have no Intention of attacking Pakistan, you must have noticed in the previous engagements that we are avoiding war( even if it's limited skirmishes) at all costs
Truth is India is not looking for a war like situation in any foreseeable future

The priority is economic development ,

Pakistan doesn't agree, India ruled by RSS hindutwa ideology mission is to destroy Pakistan, they will one day attack Pakistan when they believe they're ready to win a war. This is why Pakistan builds up its security to make sure we give a befitting reply to Indian aggression.

 

[PakAl]

The j20 by virtue of size look avd design is massive
Twin engined super fighter but must be horrendous expensive to fly build maintain
China will build the j31 cheaper slicker avd have that as it's mainstay fifth generation fighter
USA kept raptors at low numbers for same reason

China may even use some of J20s as bombers, Awaac/electronic etc, its quiet a large plane. So best to use it for different purposes. Yes China definitely needs a cost effective plane like F35s. They have J35s for navy and J31 for airforce will be spot on.

 

[PakAl]

We are thinking the same but clearly 5th gen has its own advantages,
We were better off with sukhoi 57 ,we would have gotten the fighters in small numbers by now ,but the problem was the work share and Russians expected us to finance their whole new fighter development and design and we weren't getting anything in return!

India is getting really close to the Usa/Europe so after 2030s F35s maybe available. They have the money and USA wouldn't mind some cash to invest in to the 6th generation.