Could Chinese J-20 & J-31 Fighter Jets Rival F-35s in the Pacific?

Video Above: What Role Would 5th Generation Stealthy Fighter Jets Play in a War with China?

*Article republished for viewer interest

By Kris Osborn – President & Editor-In-Chief, Warrior Maven

The United States operates 757 more fighter aircraft than the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and likely operates a higher number of 5th-generation stealth aircraft as well, a circumstance which undoubtedly impacts the balance of power and US deterrence posture in the Pacific theater.

This may be one reason why Chinese government-backed newspapers said the PLA Air Force conducted war drills, combat preparation exercises and interoperability training across all five “theater commands.” The Chinese Global Times newspaper said the “Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force units across all five theater commands recently conducted simultaneous exercises after the PLA Navy held concurrent drills in three major sea regions in a similar manner.”

The United States operates 1,957 fighter aircraft, as compared to China’s 1,200, and the margin of difference between an overall number of planes is even larger. 

Global Firepower says the US operates 13,247 aircraft, compared to China’s 3,285 planes, a discrepancy likely to place China at a tactical and strategic disadvantage in the air should it need to engage the US.