China’s ‘20-series’ warplanes a sign of greater offensive strength: CCTV

Name: China’s PLA Air Force aims to improve pilot training on J-20 fighter jets
Uploaded: 2022-10-14T14:30:16.000Z
Duration: 1 min 19 s
Description: China’s PLA Air Force aims to improve pilot training on J-20 fighter jets

Mass deployment of J-20 stealth fighter, Y-20 heavy lifter and Z-20 helicopter show PLA Air Force’s transformation, state broadcaster says

Report includes audio of Chinese fighter pilot’s warning to foreign plane over East China Sea

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The J-20 stealth fighter, also known as the “Mighty Dragon”, is China’s most advanced fighter jet. Photo: AP

Liu Zhenin Beijing

Published: 10:30pm, 14 Oct 2022

The Chinese air force has sped up its transformation to become “both defensive and offensive” with the mass deployment of its “20-series” warplanes, including the J-20 stealth fighter, according to state media.

In recent years, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force has introduced new planes whose names bear the number 20, including the J-20 stealth fighter in 2017, the Y-20 heavy lifter in 2016 and the Z-20 helicopter in 2019. The H-20 strategic bomber is under development.

“The ‘20-series’ warplanes have demonstrated the pace of the PLA air force’s strategic transformation,” CCTV said on Wednesday.

In the early 2000s, the air force announced its strategic goal of evolving from “homeland defence” to become “both defensive and offensive” and invested heavily in the development of the 20-series planes.

The Chengdu J-20 made its maiden flight in 2011. The introduction of this fifth-generation stealth fighter made China the second country, after the United States, to have a domestically developed stealth fighter in service.

The air force confirmed last month that the J-20, also known as the “Mighty Dragon”, has been deployed to all five theatre commands. The planes, which are China’s most advanced fighters, have regularly patrolled the East China Sea and South China Sea.

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China’s PLA Air Force aims to improve pilot training on J-20 fighter jets

Earlier this year, there was a close encounter between a J-20 and an F-35, the US’ most advanced stealth fighter, over the East China Sea, according to General Kenneth Wilsbach, commander of the US Pacific Air Forces.

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