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China Advances Rapidly in Military Technology. With New Stealth Fighters and Advanced Drones, China’s Air Force May Surpass the United States in Dominating the Skies.
China’s Air Force is growing rapidly. The country is investing billions in modern aircraft, developing new stealth fighters, and testing advanced drones. The goal? To become the world’s largest air power.
On December 26, 2024, China unveiled two new experimental fighters. Provisionally named JXX and J50, they showcase the evolution of Chinese military aviation. The WZ-9 drone, designed to track stealth aircraft, reinforces this strategy.
But can China’s Air Force really surpass the U.S.? How many aircraft does the country have? How advanced is this fleet?
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The Size of China’s Air Force
The Air Force of China, officially called the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, emerged in the 1920s. At the beginning, the country had few airplanes and depended on foreign technology. Today, the reality is quite different.
China has the third largest air force in the world, trailing only the United States and Russia. According to Global Fire Power, the country operates over 3,000 aircraft and has 400,000 active military personnel.
This gigantic fleet protects a territory of 9.5 million km². But it’s not just about quantity. Chinese technology is advancing rapidly, and the world is watching.
The Most Powerful Fighters in China
China is heavily investing in modern fighters to compete with the U.S. Among the most advanced models are:
- J-20: Fifth-generation fighter, stealthy and agile, rival of the American F-22.
- J-35: New Chinese stealth fighter, still in testing.
- J-10 and J-11: Multirole models used for defense and attack.
- J-16: Advanced version of the Russian Su-27, adapted to Chinese requirements.
In addition to these, the Chinese Air Force also operates Russian fighters such as the Su-27, Su-30, and Su-35.
Drones and Bombers of China
China is also developing drones and strategic bombers. One of the most modern is the WZ-9, designed to track stealth aircraft.
In the bomber sector, the Xian H-6 remains one of the main models in operation. It is based on the old Soviet Tu-16 but has received several improvements over the years.
Refueling and Military Transport
To increase its reach, China’s Air Force has refueling aircraft, such as:
- Il-78: Model adapted from the Soviet Il-76 freighter.
- YY-20: Modernized version of the Y-20 freighter.
For troop and supply transport, the standout is the Y-20, a freighter that rivals the U.S. C-17.
Can China Surpass the U.S.?
China’s Air Force is growing rapidly. The country already has thousands of aircraft, modern stealth fighters, and is heavily investing in military technology.
But it still lacks combat experience. The United States operates globally and has the most advanced fighters in the world, such as the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II.
Nonetheless, China continues to innovate. If it keeps up this pace, it could catch up or even surpass the U.S. in a few decades.
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