China's Massive J-20 Fleet: A Growing Threat to India's Security

China's Chengdu J-20, a fifth-generation, twin-engine fighter jet, is being produced at an accelerated pace, with estimates reaching 120 units per year.

This rapid expansion of the J-20 fleet, potentially exceeding 1,000 aircraft, has raised significant security concerns among international analysts, particularly in neighboring India.

The J-20, the world's largest fighter jet in its class, boasts a substantial range due to its size.

Experts speculate that its internal fuel capacity of 11,000 kg allows for missions deep into Indian territory without external fuel tanks. This, coupled with a speculated combat range of 2,000 km, poses a potential threat to Indian defense.

Additionally, the J-20's large internal fuel capacity suggests the potential for carrying air-launched cruise missiles. This capability, if confirmed, could enable strikes on targets deep within India, including major cities like Delhi and Kolkata.

The J-20's emphasis on stealth technology, advanced sensors, information fusion capabilities, and network connectivity further enhance its potential threat to air defense systems.

However, some aspects of the J-20 remain unclear. The true capabilities of its Chinese-made WS-15 engine are yet to be fully revealed, and the effectiveness of its stealth technology in real-world scenarios needs further testing.

India is closely monitoring the J-20's development and is expected to take appropriate measures to address any potential security threats. This could involve enhancing its air defense systems, forging strategic partnerships, or acquiring new generation fighter jets.

 

[Bharat007]

Bharat007, I agree with you that all of those things are a possibility.
But India has just too many radars including Greenpine, Greenpine+, S-400 radars, X-band radars, S-band radars, and many Low Level and Medium Powered radars, etc and also AWACS and two Netras which can ferret out an airborne object as soon as they take off.

I do agree with you that Indian armed forces should be on high alert as their Winnie The Pooh has penchant for events like Gaalwan invasion, etc

If US can help us with their top secret military satellite then it is a very welcome move. India needs to be on watch 24*7. If India can then it is high possibility that India can minimise damage done by PLA. One thing, HAL needs to speedy 5th gen fighter program and create strong deterent ability.

 

[kumar]

HaL need to reevaluate itself

Requirements is given by IAF. HAL has nothing to do with it.

 

[NSR]

If US can help us with their top secret military satellite then it is a very welcome move. India needs to be on watch 24*7. If India can then it is high possibility that India can minimise damage done by PLA. One thing, HAL needs to speedy 5th gen fighter program and create strong deterent ability.

Totally agree with you Bharat007.
HAL makes me frustrated and it is beyond help and needs a surgical attack to make it work.

Also USA is on extremely heightened chinese invasion watches especially against Taiwan so it will also be beneficial for us too.

But India has the primary responsible for it so I think it is trying to buy MQ-9Bs and build more Netras and Netras IIs, etc

But one thing I am very disappointed at is ISRO not working deligently on Indian ISR and high resolution imaging satellites.
Great General MM Naravane requested 6 of these satellites in 2020 to just watch LAC only which means India needs more than two dozens of them to monitor whole of India land and sea borders.

So far ISRO has not launched any of them.

It is unnecessarily emphasizing manned space instead which does not accrue anythings to what General Naravane asked for.
See Israelis only emphasize security and defense related satellites only and India should do it too.

The USA spacecraft which took astronauts to space station got stuck there because it has many issues and they are trying to solve them. Very difficult to do.

India must put manned space on back burner until some time in future and concentrate on Indian ISR and high resolution imaging satellites launches.
This is how India can checkmate criminal china.

 

[kumar]

While J20 quality mighy be cr@p, they might intend to throw numbers at adversaries in case of conflict. J20 requirements might be well thought of except for the canards at the front. IAFs obsession with medium weight fighter, with lower internal fuel and lower capacity weapons bay might become problem, when it takes on J20 in future. IAF should plan the requirements properly.

 

[Rational Guy]

Let's break down the scenario:

1. J-20s in Full Stealth Mode: If J-20s are able to execute a surprise attack in full stealth mode, they could indeed cause significant damage to Indian ground-based weapon systems before they are effectively countered.

2. Concerted PLA Missile Strikes: Similarly, concerted missile strikes from the PLA could also target and neutralize Indian ground-based assets, especially if they are coordinated and launched with precision.

3. Availability of Indian Assets: In such a scenario, the availability of Indian assets to target incoming J-20s would depend on several factors:
- #Survival of Assets: If Indian assets are not among the ones eliminated in the initial strike, they would still be available for use.
- #Redundancy and Resilience: The effectiveness of Indian defense systems in withstanding attacks and maintaining redundancy and resilience would play a crucial role. If backup systems are in place and survivability is high, some assets may still be operational.
- #Response Time: The time it takes for Indian forces to detect the threat, assess the situation, and deploy countermeasures also influences asset availability.
- #Strategic Positioning: Pre-planned strategic positioning of assets and deployment of mobile defense units could also ensure that some assets are ready for immediate action.

Cheenies will go full US gelf war style and try to destroy our radar/early warning and air defence systems by using full stealth mode J20s with precision strike instruments. In this scenario how can we thwart such an attack.

 

[Rational Guy]

India and its PM will never start a war with a first strike against criminal china and you should know about it by now after 10 years of present government.

Indian posture is defensive-offensive one.

Best way to deal with cheenies in event of incoming war is to launch surprise missile strike on their airfields and destroy as many of their fighters on the ground as possible.

 

[Bharat007]

Cheenies will go full US gelf war style and try to destroy our radar/early warning and air defence systems by using full stealth mode J20s with precision strike instruments. In this scenario how can we thwart such an attack.

It is indeed it would be very difficult moment. Whoever makes first move with decisive strike will gain the upper hand in this conflict.

 

[NSR]

Best way to deal with cheenies in event of incoming war is to launch surprise missile strike on their airfields and destroy as many of their fighters on the ground as possible.

That is one of the strategy some countries take but India do not want to start a war with china at all.

Anothe big problem is chinese will try to approach in an exercise manner many times.
How do we know that they are coming to attack?
PLAAF flies close to LAC almost all the time.

 

[Bharat007]

That is one of the strategy some countries take but India do not want to start a war with china at all.

Anothe big problem is chinese will try to approach in an exercise manner many times.
How do we know that they are coming to attack?
PLAAF flies close to LAC almost all the time.

Just like Russia in Ukraine. Deception is essential part of war, acc. to Sun Tzu. You are right.

 

[Bharat007]

the PR in PRC stands for - you guessed it, just PR. J20 is all hype. In the himalayas there is zero proof that they can take off. How can it be stealthy when you fly inside Indian territory ? Their combat radius, stealthiness, payload capacity is all suspect. The fact is China cannot conduct an operation inside India. They are dependent on their sea lanes for oil,food,trade. They wont be able to sustain more than a month of blockade. All these noise is for the average Zhang to be impressed with CCP. Their ponzi economy has collapsed. They are just keeping up appearances and looking for a distraction war to prevent another civil war.

You are classic example of fox and sour grapes.
Common psychological defense mechanism called sour grapes rationalization. When someone desires something but cannot attain it, they may downplay its value or desirability to reduce their disappointment. They do this to protect their ego.

Underestimating your enemy's strength is the recipe for disaster. This is what Nehru did in 1962.

 

[Bharat007]

Totally agree with you Bharat007.
HAL makes me frustrated and it is beyond help and needs a surgical attack to make it work.

Also USA is on extremely heightened chinese invasion watches especially against Taiwan so it will also be beneficial for us too.

But India has the primary responsible for it so I think it is trying to buy MQ-9Bs and build more Netras and Netras IIs, etc

But one thing I am very disappointed at is ISRO not working deligently on Indian ISR and high resolution imaging satellites.
Great General MM Naravane requested 6 of these satellites in 2020 to just watch LAC only which means India needs more than two dozens of them to monitor whole of India land and sea borders.

So far ISRO has not launched any of them.

It is unnecessarily emphasizing manned space instead which does not accrue anythings to what General Naravane asked for.
See Israelis only emphasize security and defense related satellites only and India should do it too.

The USA spacecraft which took astronauts to space station got stuck there because it has many issues and they are trying to solve them. Very difficult to do.

India must put manned space on back burner until some time in future and concentrate on Indian ISR and high resolution imaging satellites launches.
This is how India can checkmate criminal china.

Yeah, that's our problem that we invest less in military space tech but atleast India is investing in ASAT...but another problem is that China is building deep underground bunkers near LAC. I don't know if India has any near LAC let alone tunnels. It amazes me that China has thousands km long underground tunnels for military purpose, for nuke transport. It can also used to store conventional assets too.

 

[NSR]

Yeah, that's our problem that we invest less in military space tech but atleast India is investing in ASAT...but another problem is that China is building deep underground bunkers near LAC. I don't know if India has any near LAC let alone tunnels. It amazes me that China has thousands km long underground tunnels for military purpose, for nuke transport. It can also used to store conventional assets too.

India was late to that game and trying to catch up feverishly but we do not hear those stories except for the Tunnel roads at high altitudes.

Remember we were ruled by wretched Khangress for 10 years who ignored all the Indian dire security and defense needs.
We are in a mess now so we are trying hard to get out of it.

 

[Parimal Pandya]

True that,HAL should be ashamed that it not only fails to produce a simple 4th gen on time,but also fails to do it with even simpler trainers like HTT-36 and Sitara.

You can not expect anything from disgusting environment for the educational institutions filled with substandard locality in the country to get the cycle repeatedly to every generation since independence

 

[Bharat007]

India was late to that game and trying to catch up feverishly but we do not hear those stories except for the Tunnel roads at high altitudes.

Remember we were ruled by wretched Khangress for 10 years who ignored all the Indian dire security and defense needs.
We are in a mess now so we are trying hard to get out of it.

Khangress is not pragmatic. They are disconnected from the idea of India as a formidable power to challenge adversaries.

 

[Snapper Snap]

Stopping Chinese Salami is the need of the hr.. What we lost we need to retake if not we need to grab Chinese lands around the thousands of Kms of border we have with them.

 

[Utopian]

My 2 cents
india and china can be greatest allies even after a bloody 62 war. France and UK were enemies once fought 100 of wars, but realised the value of coming together. Prosperity lies there.
US never fights Canada, infact Mexico, which is the biggest source of drugs and misery for USA is a friend for them, they fight in middle East or south asia, where threat does not affect their house ever.

We need to come out of cold war rhetorics and gun trotting kids discussing swankiest planes

 

[Anubhav Sharma]

We can kill 2 birds with 1 stone by getting 2 squadron of su57, the 5th gen problem and mrfa both will be done for rest we can handle indegeniously

 

[wallisk]

We can kill 2 birds with 1 stone by getting 2 squadron of su57, the 5th gen problem and mrfa both will be done for rest we can handle indegeniously

SU57 stealth is SAME AS that of Rafale F4.2... Better to buy 150 nos. of F15EX jets and also, another 56 nos. Rafale F4.2 jets soon!

 

[PKPRS]

we cant even complete process of MRFA for buying 114 Fighter jets for last two decades.

Because we looking for a 4.5 jet that costs <$149.5Mln each that we couldn’t find so far, this is why we only bought 36, because we didn’t have $50Bln at that time, it is still the same regarding finance, GOI doesn’t want to do that same mistake anymore, hopefully we will find the right jet this time that fits into our budget and at the same time helps setting up a eco system to mass produce modern fighter jets in India helping all our future local jet programs.

 

[PKPRS]

Bharat must speed up production of Tejas to 24 per year , acquire 36-54 additional Rafales and fast track development of Tejas Mark-2 and AMCA. GE F-414 is already a done deal. Collaboration for 120-130 kn new engine for AMCA must be finalized to get first engine by 2030 .

We don’t need 36-54 Rafale’s, if Navy get 26 Rafale’s, IAF can use like how they use Navy’s MIG-29K.