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3h ago

China Ramps J-20 Output to About 120 a Year as Upgrades Target Radar, Engines and AI

Analysts depict a shift to networked air combat that centers the stealth fighter in manned‑unmanned teaming with electronic‑warfare plus early‑warning support.

Lockheed Martin NGAD Fighter. Image Credit: Lockheed Martin.
J-20 Stealth Fighter Landing. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Overview

  • RUSI estimates China produced roughly 120 J-20s in 2025, a pace that nearly triples the U.S. Air Force’s annual intake of fifth‑generation jets.
  • State media commentary highlighted planned enhancements for the J-20 line, including more capable radar, engine improvements and AI assistance for beyond‑visual‑range combat.
  • Reporting points to multiple variants in service—J-20, the refined J-20A and the two‑seat J-20S—with the J-20S described as designed for controlling drone swarms.
  • Engine durability remains a noted weakness, with a CSIS assessment citing lifespans potentially about one‑quarter of Western counterparts despite improving performance.
  • Open‑source figures remain debated, but public spotting of a 300th airframe last year and demonstrations of teaming with GJ‑11 UCAVs, J‑16D electronic‑warfare jets and KJ‑500 AEW&C indicate growing scale and a networked concept of operations.