In the last 30 years, few can deny that the People's Republic of China (PRC) has made remarkable progress. It has become a major world power while still retaining its communist political rule. Not only has China grown in terms of its infrastructure and manufacturing, but it has also developed its own military and civilian aviation sector. Initially relying on cooperation with western manufacturers to get things underway, they are now quite able to go it alone in many sectors.

One of these is military aviation. Previously the PLAAF (People's Liberation Army Air Force) was reliant on Soviet/Russian designs, some of which were copied while others were properly licensed. That is not the case now and many of the Russian aircraft are being replaced by indigenous designs. One of the most recent is the J-20, built in the city of Chengdu.  This fairly large aircraft is touted as the PLAAF's first fifth generation fighter and was developed in what is a remarkably short time for a modern combat aircraft.

First flying in 2011, the second version with upgraded engines, the J-20A along with the earlier J-20 are currently in service with several units. According to estimates somewhere between 150-200 aircraft have been delivered with production continuing at a fairly rapid clip for such a complex aircraft. Part of the reason for the size of the aircraft is to provide internal storage for multiple missiles. It also gives the aircraft a range of 2,000 km and with external tanks, that can be increased to 5,500 km. From what I can see, this range enables it to reach the contested islands/shoals that China has turned into air bases without refuelling.

As you'd expect from a book like this, you are provided full background (as much as can be provided considering that the Chinese are less than open about military matters) and development of the aircraft. This includes what has been provided and deduced about the aircraft's capabilities. To be honest, when I started reading this book, it came across as propaganda, with everything about the subject being better than anything else. One one gets past that, the book was quite interesting. It is a subject on which much has been written in the aviation press, but has never been compiled into one volume. It is especially interesting to me how quickly the aircraft has been developed and placed into unit service. It makes for a very interesting read on an equally interesting aircraft and is a book I know that you will enjoy as well.

December 2024

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