2025 marks the tenth anniversary of the bulk production of China's J-20 fifth-generation fighter jets. A decade ago, the J-20 took its first step toward mass production, and today its production scale and speed have set world records, becoming a vital pillar of air power in the Asia-Pacific region. According to Military Observer reports, not only did the J-20 transition from prototype to mass production at an astonishing pace, but its annual output has surpassed that of any twin-engine fighter in the world, solidifying China's leading position in fifth-generation aircraft for its air force.
From maiden flight to mass production: Speed creates miracles.
The J-20 program began with the first prototype flight in January 2011, entering mass production in just over four years, far surpassing the time taken by other fifth-generation fighters during the same period. The U.S. F-22, F-35, and Russia's Su-57 took 14-15 years from their first flights to reach mass production, while the J-20 had already begun manufacturing the first batch of production bodies when it completed the first flight of the sixth pre-production prototype in November 2015. In December 2015, the first production model of the J-20 (serial number 2101) was unveiled publicly and made its maiden flight on January 18, 2016, with deliveries to the Chinese Air Force occurring mid-year. This efficient development and production speed laid the foundation for the J-20 to surpass U.S. fifth-generation fighters.
Design iteration: From prototype to maturity. The development process of the J-20 demonstrated the flexibility of China's aviation industry. Significant changes were observed in early demonstration aircraft and prototypes, such as the cockpit canopy and intake design, ultimately optimizing the appearance and performance of the final production model. In February 2017, the J-20 was officially commissioned, and its performance met operational requirements. By comparison, contemporaneous competitors like the F-35 and Su-57 are still hampered by technical bottlenecks, making the J-20's rapid iteration a significant advantage.
Production peak: Annual output of 100+ sets leads globally. Foreign media reported that since 2021, the production scale of the J-20 has significantly expanded, with an estimated annual output of 100-120 units, the highest among twin-engine fighters worldwide. In contrast, the U.S. F-35 produces around 130-150 units annually, but due to serving multiple countries, the U.S. Air Force receives only 40-48 units per year. Additionally, the F-35 is currently constrained by software issues and supply chain crises, with no deliverable models since July 2023. As the exclusive aircraft for the Chinese Air Force, the large-scale production of the J-20 enables rapid expansion of its fleet size. Furthermore, the mature application of the domestically produced WS-10C engine has completely eliminated reliance on the Russian AL-31FM2, further enhancing production efficiency and autonomy.
The large-scale production of the J-20 not only enhances air force combat capabilities but also brings significant military and economic benefits. The scale of fighter jet deployment is closely related to overall effectiveness: smaller quantities lead to higher unit costs and lower comprehensive benefits. For example, the U.S. F-22, with a total production of only 187 units, has a unit cost as high as $350 million, with exorbitant maintenance costs, limiting its operational flexibility. On the other hand, the J-20's annual production of 100-120 units significantly reduces the unit costs for research, development, production, and maintenance. It is estimated that the single-unit cost of the J-20 is approximately $110 million, far lower than the F-22 and F-35 (around $150 million). Large-scale deployment also strengthens the combat resilience and task diversity of the fleet, such as executing air superiority, strike, and electronic warfare missions, forming a systematic advantage. Conversely, small-scale deployments, like Russia's Su-57 (with production under 30 units), struggle to form effective combat power due to limited quantities, making it difficult to optimize training and logistics systems. The high output of the J-20 ensures that the Chinese Air Force can quickly build and maintain a modern fifth-generation fleet, taking the initiative in strategic games in the Asia-Pacific region.
The mass production miracle of the J-20 not only narrows the gap between China and the United States in the field of fifth-generation fighters but also reshapes the balance of air power in the Asia-Pacific region. Its efficient R&D, large-scale production, and continuous upgrades demonstrate the substantial strength of China's aviation industry. Looking ahead, the J-20 will continue to serve as the backbone of the Chinese Air Force, driving defense modernization to new heights.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496479749911708198/
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