The United States is the largest global arms exporter, and it is highly sensitive to any competitors who may threaten its dominance in the global market. The emergence of the "J-36" fighter has put pressure on the American media outlet "1945", which, in a report on April 21, 2025, claimed that "J-20 fighters are available for sale but have not been purchased." The US media emphasized that China is promoting fighters such as the J-10 and J-20, but they face "significant obstacles." [J-20 fighter jets for sale? No one has bought them yet? (Screenshot from US media outlet "1945")](image link) [The J-20 fighter jets are not being bought? Pakistan strongly disagrees!](image link) China has already started test flights of its sixth-generation aircraft, and the "J-36" fighter has made an appearance. As a fifth-generation fighter, the J-20 is no longer the most advanced technology-wise. In theory, this provides conditions for export. Especially since it is not the most advanced model, there is indeed an opportunity to be displayed internationally. So, after the "J-36" fighter takes the stage, can the J-20 fighter be exported? The answer is: it's still too early. In theory, countries do not export their most advanced weapons. Therefore, after the "J-36" fighter makes its debut, pushing the J-20 fighter onto the international market would be quite reasonable. However, it should be noted that the "J-36" fighter is only in the test flight phase and will not be ready for service until around 2030. Until then, the J-20 fighter will remain the most advanced aircraft in the Chinese Air Force. ["J-36" is currently in the test flight phase](image link) [Although at present, the "J-36" shows performance beyond expectations](image link) Only after the "J-36" fighter enters service and reaches a certain scale of equipment can the J-20 fighter be considered an older generation aircraft and obtain export permits. This process would take at least five years, meaning that the official foreign sales of the J-20 fighter might not happen for another ten years. By the time it can be exported, the situation will be hard to predict. However, it can be confirmed that the J-20 fighter is definitely not a fighter no one wants. As a fifth-generation fighter, it would not be taken lightly. Moreover, as a heavy fifth-generation fighter on par with F-22 and Su-57 fighters, it completely surpasses the F-35 fighter. Globally, only sixth-generation fighters can surpass it. [J-20 as a heavy fifth-generation fighter, anyone selling will definitely be snapped up](image link) American media outlet "1945" website is very "concerned" about the J-20 fighter, believing that compared to America's successful export products, F-16 and F-35, Chinese-made fighters "lack combat experience," thereby weakening buyer confidence. The US media completely ignores the differences between China and the US; China does not view arms sales as a means but merely as a commercial activity. It will not make money at all costs nor link arms sales with geopolitics. Currently, the export of China's J-10CE fighter is limited, not because no one wants it, but because China has not relaxed its export restrictions. Before the J-20 fighter entered service, the J-10 fighter, as the most advanced domestic fighter, could not have been permitted for export. Only after the stable mass production of the J-20 fighter did it begin to be marketed internationally. It has already been delivered to Pakistan, and several other countries may introduce it, though specific details have not been disclosed. [Pakistan is quite satisfied with the J-10CE](image link) The J-20 fighter is also not unwanted; it just hasn't received export permission yet. At overseas airshows, the real J-20 fighter has never been displayed; it has only appeared at domestic exhibitions, indicating it is a "non-sale item." The so-called "obstacles" like lack of combat experience mentioned by American media are mere speculations. It cannot be denied that American fighter sales are indeed impressive, and the US media claims that they have achieved greater success. However, the US media fails to mention under what circumstances these sales occurred. The US has many allies, and there are issues of forced promotion. Moreover, to belittle China's fighter exports, the "1945" website claimed that "there are language barriers in Chinese fighter exports, as maintenance and repair manuals are written in Mandarin and need to be translated into the订购 country's language. They doubt whether China will train foreign pilots." But how did Pakistan fly back the J-10CE? How did it quickly enter service and form combat capability? There is a clear example right before their eyes, yet the US media chooses to ignore it. [Pakistan's J-10C, flown back by Pakistani pilots themselves](image link) Ironically, the US media still doesn't know that Chinese fighters no longer use Russian engines. They dare to say that Russian engines bring another "challenge" to the maintenance and repair of the J-20 fighter. More interestingly, the US media believes that China is upgrading the J-20 fighter, so the old models of the J-20 can be used as export versions. They even give an estimated price, suggesting the price should not exceed $50 million. The reason is that Russia sells Su-57 fighters at prices ranging from $30 million to $50 million, and if the price exceeds $50 million, other countries will choose the Su-57 fighter. It's unclear how the US media came to such conclusions, as neither the cost price nor the export price of Su-57 or J-20 fighters has been disclosed. The US media also fails to mention the high cost of US-made fighters; the upgrade cost of the F-35 fighter exceeds $100 million. [J-20, currently still a "non-sale item"](image link) The US became a major arms exporter due to various reasons, with diplomacy being the main cause. American arms are mainly supplied to military allies, whereas China does not promote alliances and thus lacks military allies. This is indeed not conducive to using arms exports, but we do not want to profit from war. Even if the J-20 fighter is exported in the future, it will simply be a commercial activity without too many unrelated restrictions. Moreover, China continues to develop the J-20 fighter, having introduced the J-20S fighter, which is a twin-seat version of the J-20 fighter. It adds a rear seat weapon control operator and has been equipped with a domestically produced new engine, initially the "Taihang" engine, and now the WS-15 engine. The "1945" website of American media even refers to the J-20 fighter as a "bomb truck." [J-20S is the latest member of the J-20 family](image link) Regardless, the J-20 fighter is undoubtedly an advanced aircraft. Instead of worrying about the J-20 fighter taking over the market, the US should worry more about losing its air superiority. [Reference report screenshots:] (image link) (image link) [Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496196597203468852/] [Disclaimer: This article represents the author's personal views. Please express your attitude by clicking the "like/dislike" buttons below.]