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When, in January 2011, China publicised the first test flight of the stealth fighter it is developing, the fact that the J-20 was advanced enough to get off the ground surprised many in the aviation world.
Since then, the Chengdu-made aircraft has had more practice. According to Chinese state media the first prototype completed its 60th test flight late last year and the second of four prototypes started test flights this year.
In addition, military experts in China say the country is developing a second lighter-weight stealth fighter, the J-60.
Without doubt, these projects are powerful symbols of Chinas emerging military might.
It puts China in the company of very few nations that have the wealth and the determination to develop such a programme, says Tim Huxley, head of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Asia.
The only potential rivals for the J-20 are the Lockheed Martin-produced F-22 Raptor and a stealth fighter under joint development by Russia and India.
But, while the January 2011 surprise showed the risk of underestimating Chinas military development programmes, experts now say they should not be overestimated either.
The Pentagon has said it expects the J-20 to be operational no sooner than 2018 in line with an estimate given by the Chinese deputy air force chief in 2009.
Tai Ming Cheung, an expert on the Chinese militarys technological development at the University of California in San Diego, says: Whether the Pentagons estimate that the J-20 will go into service by 2018 is accurate is anyones guess, but my sense is that is wildly optimistic.
Pointing to the gap of more than a decade between the first flight of the US F-22 fighter and its coming into service, he argues the J-20 will have at least a decade of testing and evaluation before it is ready for production.
Finding the right engines remains a major obstacle. The [domestically made] WS-10 is still plagued by problems, especially of high quality manufacturing, and there appears to be no quick fix in sight, he says. The J-20 is a leading priority in the 12th Five Year defence development plan, so will require plenty of funding and high leadership attention.
Industry sources agree that engine development remains the soft spot in the Chinese military air power.
An executive at a western aerospace company says: In missile and satellite technology, China has managed greatly to narrow the gap with the US. But aircraft engines are an area where, despite decades of reverse engineering of licensed technology, they are still far behind.
Avic, the state-owned aerospace conglomerate, plans to invest Rmb10bn ($1.6bn) over the next five years in the development of the high-end turbofan engines needed in an aircraft of the J-20 type. Meanwhile, the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force remains dependent on Russian and Ukrainian supplies.
The J-10 and J-11, Chinas fourth-generation fighters, are powered by Russian Salyut AL-31 FN engines.
In July 2011, Beijing ordered another 123 of those engines, bringing total orders of this engine model since 2001 to more than 1,000.
Beijing this year requested 48 Sukhoi Su-35 fighters from Russia, a deal still being delayed because of Moscows concerns that China could copy its technology.
But the request could reflect Chinas desire to insure itself against the risk of relying only on domestic development.
But, despite the challenges, Chinas growing air power has already thrown its large shadow ahead.
James Hardy, Asia-Pacific editor at IHS Janes Defence Weekly, says: Chinas military modernisation over the past decade and its more assertive posture, for example in the South China Sea since 2008, has driven south-east Asian countries such as the Philippines to step up fighter procurement.
US allies in the region, such as, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Australia are buying or thinking of buying F-35s to maintain interoperability with US forces and stay at the cutting edge of combat aircraft technology.
China: Doing it all yourself has its drawbacks - FT.com
Since then, the Chengdu-made aircraft has had more practice. According to Chinese state media the first prototype completed its 60th test flight late last year and the second of four prototypes started test flights this year.
In addition, military experts in China say the country is developing a second lighter-weight stealth fighter, the J-60.
Without doubt, these projects are powerful symbols of Chinas emerging military might.
It puts China in the company of very few nations that have the wealth and the determination to develop such a programme, says Tim Huxley, head of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Asia.
The only potential rivals for the J-20 are the Lockheed Martin-produced F-22 Raptor and a stealth fighter under joint development by Russia and India.
But, while the January 2011 surprise showed the risk of underestimating Chinas military development programmes, experts now say they should not be overestimated either.
The Pentagon has said it expects the J-20 to be operational no sooner than 2018 in line with an estimate given by the Chinese deputy air force chief in 2009.
Tai Ming Cheung, an expert on the Chinese militarys technological development at the University of California in San Diego, says: Whether the Pentagons estimate that the J-20 will go into service by 2018 is accurate is anyones guess, but my sense is that is wildly optimistic.
Pointing to the gap of more than a decade between the first flight of the US F-22 fighter and its coming into service, he argues the J-20 will have at least a decade of testing and evaluation before it is ready for production.
Finding the right engines remains a major obstacle. The [domestically made] WS-10 is still plagued by problems, especially of high quality manufacturing, and there appears to be no quick fix in sight, he says. The J-20 is a leading priority in the 12th Five Year defence development plan, so will require plenty of funding and high leadership attention.
Industry sources agree that engine development remains the soft spot in the Chinese military air power.
An executive at a western aerospace company says: In missile and satellite technology, China has managed greatly to narrow the gap with the US. But aircraft engines are an area where, despite decades of reverse engineering of licensed technology, they are still far behind.
Avic, the state-owned aerospace conglomerate, plans to invest Rmb10bn ($1.6bn) over the next five years in the development of the high-end turbofan engines needed in an aircraft of the J-20 type. Meanwhile, the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force remains dependent on Russian and Ukrainian supplies.
The J-10 and J-11, Chinas fourth-generation fighters, are powered by Russian Salyut AL-31 FN engines.
In July 2011, Beijing ordered another 123 of those engines, bringing total orders of this engine model since 2001 to more than 1,000.
Beijing this year requested 48 Sukhoi Su-35 fighters from Russia, a deal still being delayed because of Moscows concerns that China could copy its technology.
But the request could reflect Chinas desire to insure itself against the risk of relying only on domestic development.
But, despite the challenges, Chinas growing air power has already thrown its large shadow ahead.
James Hardy, Asia-Pacific editor at IHS Janes Defence Weekly, says: Chinas military modernisation over the past decade and its more assertive posture, for example in the South China Sea since 2008, has driven south-east Asian countries such as the Philippines to step up fighter procurement.
US allies in the region, such as, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Australia are buying or thinking of buying F-35s to maintain interoperability with US forces and stay at the cutting edge of combat aircraft technology.
China: Doing it all yourself has its drawbacks - FT.com
thats why we build the Sukhoi MKI using Indian materials from start to finish in our own country but we do not steal or clone like the Chinese we have standards.
