China with at least 200 operational J-20 stealth fighter jets

[beijingwalker]

China with at least 200 operational J-20 stealth fighter jets​

Ricardo Meier
November 13, 2022

The Zhuhai Airshow, in China, did not stand out for large commercial announcements like other similar events, but it certainly served to confirm the existence of a massive fleet of 5th generation J-20 fighter jets in the PLAAF, the Air Force of People’s Liberation Army.

The participation of some examples of the Chengdu stealth fighter in Zhuhai led the analyst Andreas Ruppercht, specializing in the Chinese armed forces, to estimate that there are at least 200 J-20s in service today.

The finding was possible due to high resolution images taken at the event and which allowed to notice that two of the fighters had inscriptions “CB0369” and “CB0370” on the front part of the fuselage. According to Ruppercht, the code would mean that they are aircraft of the 4th production batch (CB03), number 69 and 70, that is, there are at least 70 fighters already delivered in this batch alone.


J-20 fighters (PLAAF)

The other production batches (CB00, CB01 and CB02) had 18, 45 and 56 aircraft completed, according to reports, which would total 189. Added to the 18 initial pre-production fighters, we would then have 208 J-20s already delivered.

The J-20s on display in Zhuhai were equipped with the WS-10C engine, manufactured by Shenyang, which is an improved version of the turbofan, with more power and stealth characteristics.

China with at least 200 operational J-20 stealth fighter jets - Air Data News

Chengdu’s 5th-generation aircraft would already have a wider fleet than the US’s F-22 Raptor fighter jets

www.airdatanews.com

 

[beijingwalker]

Since we have already solved engine dependency problem, now China can use her unrivaled industrial and manufacturing juggernaut to churn out J-20's at a mindblowing speed.

 

[FuturePAF]

Some closeups

https://twitter.com/x/status/1624324624304508929

 

[StraightEdge]

I wonder what's the average price of a J20 now that it's in serial production?

 

[FuturePAF]

I wonder what's the average price of a J20 now that it's in serial production?

Probably under a $150 million, maybe even under $100 million if the production rates are high enough.

 

[hyperman]

Any news on the WS-15?

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

China with at least 200 operational J-20 stealth fighter jets​

Ricardo Meier
November 13, 2022

The Zhuhai Airshow, in China, did not stand out for large commercial announcements like other similar events, but it certainly served to confirm the existence of a massive fleet of 5th generation J-20 fighter jets in the PLAAF, the Air Force of People’s Liberation Army.

The participation of some examples of the Chengdu stealth fighter in Zhuhai led the analyst Andreas Ruppercht, specializing in the Chinese armed forces, to estimate that there are at least 200 J-20s in service today.

The finding was possible due to high resolution images taken at the event and which allowed to notice that two of the fighters had inscriptions “CB0369” and “CB0370” on the front part of the fuselage. According to Ruppercht, the code would mean that they are aircraft of the 4th production batch (CB03), number 69 and 70, that is, there are at least 70 fighters already delivered in this batch alone.


J-20 fighters (PLAAF)

The other production batches (CB00, CB01 and CB02) had 18, 45 and 56 aircraft completed, according to reports, which would total 189. Added to the 18 initial pre-production fighters, we would then have 208 J-20s already delivered.

The J-20s on display in Zhuhai were equipped with the WS-10C engine, manufactured by Shenyang, which is an improved version of the turbofan, with more power and stealth characteristics.

China with at least 200 operational J-20 stealth fighter jets - Air Data News

Chengdu’s 5th-generation aircraft would already have a wider fleet than the US’s F-22 Raptor fighter jets

www.airdatanews.com

In the mid-late 1930s some French generals were visiting Germany and were driven around to a number of Luftwaffe bases. Each base was bristling with new Messerschmitt Bf-109s. What the generals did not know was that after they left a base, the aircraft was flown to the next base on the visiting list, where they were repainted with new squadron markings.

 

[ZeEa5KPul]

In the mid-late 1930s some French generals were visiting Germany and were driven around to a number of Luftwaffe bases. Each base was bristling with new Messerschmitt Bf-109s. What the generals did not know was that after they left a base, the aircraft was flown to the next base on the visiting list, where they were repainted with new squadron markings.

So?

 

[Riz]

tremendous achievement china

 

[beijingwalker]

In the mid-late 1930s some French generals were visiting Germany and were driven around to a number of Luftwaffe bases. Each base was bristling with new Messerschmitt Bf-109s. What the generals did not know was that after they left a base, the aircraft was flown to the next base on the visiting list, where they were repainted with new squadron markings.

With very limited industrial and manufacturing capability, it sounds like a good idea for US.

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

So?

Painting a few numbers on an aircraft is likely to fit into the Chinese defense budget…

 

[ARMalik]

In the mid-late 1930s some French generals were visiting Germany and were driven around to a number of Luftwaffe bases. Each base was bristling with new Messerschmitt Bf-109s. What the generals did not know was that after they left a base, the aircraft was flown to the next base on the visiting list, where they were repainted with new squadron markings.

You are comparing tomatoes to Water melons. Dude, Stop living in 1900's. We have Satellites these days who can notify the colour of your undies.

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

You are comparing tomatoes to Water melons. Dude, Stop living in 1900's. We have Satellites these days who can notify the colour of your undies.

You are welcome to show dated satellite photos proving the point.

 

[ZeEa5KPul]

Painting a few numbers on an aircraft is likely to fit into the Chinese defense budget…

China isn't the USSR. It has a larger manufacturing base than the US and EU combined, it doesn't need to fake the number of J-20s it has. It has 156 at bare minimum and likely more than 200 by now.

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

China isn't the USSR. It has a larger manufacturing base than the US and EU combined, it doesn't need to fake the number of J-20s it has. It has 156 at bare minimum and likely more than 200 by now.

The point is that a picture with a serial number is not proof of anything.