J-20 OF PLAAF AND JF-17 OF PAF ANALYSED

As the excitement following the induction of Rafale jets into the IAF wanes, it is time to have a fresh look at China’s J-20 which is being operationalised

- AIR MARSHAL ANIL CHOPRA (RETD)

THE SINO-INDIAN FACE-OFF IN LADAKH CONTINUES TOWARDS the harsh forthcoming winter. As the excitement following the induction of Rafale jets into the Indian Air Force (IAF) wanes, it is time to have a fresh look at China’s J-20 which is being operationalised in large numbers. It is also time to look at the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) JF-17, 120 of which are already flying and the most potent Block III variant has just entered service. Interestingly, PAF claims the aircraft is battle-tested after the operation “Swift Retort” of February 27, 2019. Both aircraft are reportedly now armed with long-range Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles.

CHENGDU J-20 “MIGHTY DRAGON” OVERVIEW

The J-20 “Mighty Dragon” is a single-seat, twinjet, all-weather, stealth, fifth-generation fighter developed by China’s Chengdu Aerospace Corporation for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Designed as an air superiority fighter with precision strike capability, it undertook its maiden flight in January 2011, entered service in March 2017 and commenced its combat training phase in September 2017. The first J-20 combat unit was formed in February 2018. The J-20 is the world’s fourth fifth-generation stealth fighter after the American F-22, F-35, and Russian Su-57. It will effectively supersede Su-27SK, Su-30MKK and Su-30MK2 in the PLAAF inventory. Chinese state media reported in October 2017 that aircraft is ready for mass production. In January 2019, a twin-seat variant of the J-20 was rumoured to be in development for use in tactical bombing, electronic warfare and carrier strike roles.