China readies fighter for carrier ahead of schedule

Taking the lead in almost all its indigenous equipment trials, China seems to be well ahead of schedule in all its weapons platforms. With their aircraft carrier Varyag getting ready for sea trials recently, now is the turn of their fifth generation stealth fighter jet, J-20, to make its second flight within  four months, as has been reported by the Chinese news agency, People’s Daily.           

This makes China enter the elite club of fifth-generation fighter owners, which now are just two — US and Russia.

China has definitely taken a lead in its stealth fighter trials. Retired Air Marshal AK Singh told DNA, “Tactically a prototype flying does not matter, because it takes 24-36 months for a prototype to become operational, but strategically it is a cause of worry for India, as they have a system which we do not have.” US airforce has the fifth generation stealth fighter — the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 joint strike fighter is under production.

Former Air Chief FH Major told DNA, “Its very difficult to compare these aircraft, because it is not known what has gone into the making of the Chinese J-20 and it is not known what is the role envisaged for it. Generation of an aircraft are just terms given by countries.”