PLA Air Force formation ‘a sign of stealth fighter mass production’ in China
- Footage is part of series to mark 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China
- Flight of seven J-20s is a new stage in an arms race with US and its F-35 Lightning
China has released video of a flight of seven Chengdu J-20 stealth fighters, the largest formation seen so far, suggesting that the fifth-generation warplane has gone into production as an arms race with the United States mounts in the region.
In the latest publicity video, released by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force on Tuesday and aired on state television, seven J-20s were shown during a training operation.
Introduced in 2017, the heavyweight twin-engine J-20 is China’s most advanced warplane. With its low radar profile airframe, a skin covered in energy-absorbent stealth material, and weapons that can engage targets out of visual range, the J-20 is a rival to the American F-35 Lightning.
The second-largest J-20 flight was disclosed in an air force video for PLA Day on August 1, when five of the jets were shown.
At four minutes long, the latest video is part of a documentary series to mark the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic and its air force. Another flight of J-20s is expected to take part in a commemorative military parade on October 1.