The information website Global Times, controlled by the Chinese government, announced yesterday, December 12, that China has “significantly” increased the serial production of the J-20 stealth fighter, learned BulgarianMilitary.com.
According to the authors of the news, the reason for this is the Chinese engine Shenyang WS-10. BulgarianMilitary.com reminds you that China has so far produced over 300 units of this engine.
“The transition to imported WS-10 engines has made mass production possible,” said Fu Qiangshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, noting that other J-20 systems, including the avionics system, radar system, and weapons systems, have already been developed. in the country.
According to information disseminated by Chinese sources and media, in addition to the J-20, the Shenyang WS-10 has been tested on the J-10, J-11, and J-16 fighters. After passing the tests, the Chinese government decided to start mass production of the J-20 stealth fighter.
The allegations of Chinese military experts were also confirmed by Wang Haitao, the aircraft’s deputy designer, who said at the Airshow China in late September that the Chinese aviation industry could meet any level of demand from the PLA Air Force.
“In a short time we will be able to see the J-20, controlled by all the eastern, southern, western, northern, and central commands of the theater, and we will become a major force in defending the sovereignty and security of China’s territorial airspace,” Fu predicted.
The Chinese edition of the Global Times claims that there is a great demand for the stealth fighter J-20, without specifying whether it is the domestic market [the air force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army] or foreign customers.
BulgarianMilitary.com reminds you that there is still no official information about the value of one unit of J-20 fighter. According to unofficial information, according to the type of armament and the amount of the order, the price of the Chinese stealth fighter varies in a fairly wide range – from $ 30 million to $ 100 million.
The news that the J-20 is already in mass production suggests that the first needs to be met are the Chinese Air Force. According to unofficial information, only 150 J-20 fighter jets are currently in service in the Chinese army, but this figure must be exceeded many times over in the coming years.
Interest in the J-20 fighter is expected to come from countries with limited defense budgets, such as some countries in Asia, Africa, and South America. Countries such as Argentina, Vietnam, and Egypt are often speculated to buy either the Russian Su-75 Checkmate or the Chinese J-20.
