Chinese magazine praises J-20 fighter, but experts doubt it can rule the skies

Name: China and Russia begin joint military drills in Ningxia Hui autonomous region
Uploaded: 2021-09-18T06:00:15.000Z
Duration: 1 min 55 s
Description: China and Russia begin joint military drills in Ningxia Hui autonomous region

Military publication suggests the jet, dubbed Mighty Dragon, is likely to join more exercises in future

But its Russian engine and a lack of strategic transporters will limit its influence, observers say

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The Chinese military’s J-20, also known as Mighty Dragon, is limited by its Russian engine, analysts say. Photo: AP

Kristin Huang

Published: 2:00pm, 18 Sep 2021Updated: 9:53pm, 18 Sep 2021

An influential Chinese military magazine has said that the Chengdu J-20 is likely to appear in more training exercises – but analysts say its inferior engine and the air force’s lack of strategic transporters will limit the country’s ambitions.

The magazine, Ordnance Industry Science Technology, said in a report that the J-20, also known as Mighty Dragon, had enhanced the Chinese air force’s offensive and defensive abilities, and could serve as a “grinding stone” to test group troops’ anti-air abilities.

The article said previous Chinese aircraft could not lead the Chinese air force in a fighting scenario because of their limited range and versatility – a situation it said began to shift in the mid-1990s.

“In a real combat, the J-20 can take advantage of its stealthy capabilities and breach the rival’s defence line, paving the way for other aircraft to perform other operations,” the article said. “For ground troops, the J-20 can test the combat readiness of radar troops, ground-to-air missile troops, anti-aircraft artillery troops and so on.”

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China and Russia begin joint military drills in Ningxia Hui autonomous region

The report said the aircraft had entered mass production and output would increase year by year, without giving numbers.

China in August deployed a large sortie of planes, including J-20 stealth fighters and H-6K bombers, to join a large-scale strategic military exercise with Russia. Y-20 large transport planes also took part, according to media reports.