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The Rapid Advancement of the Chinese Military May Redefine the Global Air Power Balance
During a recent hearing in the U.S. Senate, Admiral John C. Aquilino, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, issued a warning: ‘China is on track to have the largest air force on the planet’. This comment underscores the accelerated expansion and modernization of the Chinese military’s capabilities, which already include the largest navy in the world, according to poderaéreo.
According to the Pentagon report of 2023, the combined Chinese Air Force and Navy totals over 3,150 aircraft, a figure that does not include drones or training aircraft. In comparison, the U.S. Air Force possesses approximately 4,000 aircraft, excluding training equipment and unmanned aerial vehicles, with thousands more belonging to other divisions of the U.S. armed forces.
The Accelerated Production of the Chinese Military
Diving deeper, there is skepticism among air power experts about the possibility of the Chinese military surpassing the U.S. in terms of military aircraft quantity in the short term. However, there is no denying the significant increase in Chinese production capacity, particularly evident in the manufacturing of its advanced fighters, such as the J-20. The latter is being produced at an annual rate of about 100 units. In contrast, the United States produces 135 F-35 fighters annually, of which between 60 and 70 are allocated for allies and international partners.
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Comparison of Capabilities Between the Chinese and U.S. Military
Daniel Rice from the Krulak Center for Innovation and Future Warfare emphasizes that the J-20 should not be directly compared to the F-35, due to their distinct missions and capabilities. He classifies the J-20 as a “4.5 generation” aircraft, reflecting the differences in generation definitions between the Chinese and U.S. military.
The Naval Dispute Between Powers
Furthermore, the discussion extends to naval supremacy. While China has a larger number of ships and submarines, the total tonnage of the American naval fleet is twice that of the Chinese, thanks to the larger size of U.S. ships.
Taiwan and Power Projection
Aquilino also expressed strategic concerns in his written testimony, particularly regarding Taiwan. The island’s geographical proximity allows the Chinese military to operate its air force without the need for tankers or long-range aircraft.
Drones: The Future of Air Power
Finally, the inclusion of drones in military power assessments may benefit China, which is advancing modernization with new unmanned aerial systems, such as the Xianglong, the WZ-8 supersonic, and the GJ-11 stealth. The increasing capability of drones, coupled with progress in artificial intelligence, could quickly tip the balance in favor of China.
Tendo em vista que os EUA desestabilizam a paz no mundo promovendo guerras nos 4 continentes pra faturar com sua indústria bélica, países que não são colônias americanas tenque reforçar seu poder militar afinal, os americanos pensam que são os donos do mundo dês da segunda guerra, a queda da URSS só veio a agravar essa situação, parabéns a China, o Brasil deveria fazer o mesmo já que tropas americanas já estiveram na Amazônia brasileira se adaptando pra no futuro promover mais uma guerra, agora na América do Sul.