China Rapidly Expands J-20 Fighter Aircraft Fleet and Deployment
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is significantly increasing the operational numbers and geographic distribution of its Chengdu J-20 ‘Mighty Dragon’ fifth-generation stealth fighter. This strategic move involves equipping more combat units with the advanced aircraft, signaling its growing importance in China’s defense posture.
According to analysis by Janes, the PLAAF has inducted more than 70 J-20s within an 11-month period ending July 2023. This rapid expansion brings the total number of J-20 aircraft operated by the service to approximately 195. The substantial influx of these new air force fighter aircraft is enabling the PLAAF to retire some of its older fourth-generation combat aircraft, such as Shenyang J-11s and Sukhoi Su-27SK/UKBs, modernizing its fleet.
Fleet Expansion and Replacements
Based on Janes Satellite Imagery Analysis (JSIA), the number of air brigades equipped with the latest fighter aircraft in the world has grown considerably. As of July 2023, at least eight air brigades operated the J-20, with one brigade being wholly equipped with the type. By May 2024, this number increased to 12 air brigades operating J-20s, and three of these brigades are now entirely equipped with the aircraft.
The expanded deployment underscores the J-20’s increasing strategic significance for the PLAAF, serving as a primary asset for both combat and enhanced operational capabilities.
Strategic Role and Capabilities
China’s state media, including the Global Times newspaper, reported in February 2024 on the advanced capabilities of the J-20 beyond its inherent stealth characteristics. The aircraft is reportedly equipped for airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) operations, supported by what is described as “advanced sensors, computing systems, and avionics.” This suggests the J-20 possesses sophisticated data fusion capabilities, allowing it to integrate information from multiple other PLAAF assets for improved situational awareness and command. Such features are crucial for modern air warfare. A modern fighter aircraft comparison would highlight these integrated systems.
Chengdu J-20 fighter jet replacing older J-11 aircraft at PLAAF base.
The pattern of these new J-20 deployments aligns with a September 2022 PLAAF statement indicating its goal to deploy new fifth-generation aircraft concurrently across all five of its theatre commands: northern, eastern, southern, western, and central.
As of May 2024, Janes assesses that the PLA has strategically deployed additional J-20 aircraft to three of these critical command regions – eastern, western, and southern – each adding at least one J-20 air brigade to their operational structure compared to May 2023.
Deployment Across Theatre Commands
Eastern Theater Command
At the PLAAF Eastern Theater Command’s (ETC’s) 41st Air Brigade based at Wuyishan Airport, at least six J-20s were observed in satellite imagery from late November 2023. These new aircraft could be replacing the older Shenyang J-11A and J-11BS aircraft previously operated by this brigade. Janes also assesses the possibility of this brigade incorporating some Shenyang J-16 multirole combat aircraft.
The ETC now operates two brigades equipped with J-20s, including the 8th Air Brigade and the veteran 9th ‘Wang Hai’ Air Brigade, which was the first PLAAF unit to induct the J-20 in 2019, according to Global Times. State media reported in January 2023 that the 9th Air Brigade subsequently became the first wholly equipped J-20 unit, operating approximately 28 aircraft according to JSIA.
The ETC’s operational area includes southeastern China, the East China Sea, and Taiwan. This command is active in aerial operations around Taiwan and projects air power over the East China Sea towards the Western Pacific and Japan. The most powerful fighter aircraft like the J-20 are seen as key assets for these operations. Global Times suggested ETC J-20s participated in drills near Taiwan during the PLA’s ‘Joint Sword-2024A’ military exercise in May 2024, with J-20 imagery featured in related propaganda posters.
Southern Theater Command
Beijing is also bolstering its Southern Theater Command (STC), responsible for the South China Sea region, with additional J-20s. Up until 2023, this command operated just one J-20 unit, the 5th Air Brigade. However, JSIA indicates that the PLAAF’s 4th Air Brigade, located near China’s southern coast at Foshan, may be converting to the fifth-generation aircraft, seemingly replacing its previous contingent of Su-27SK/UKB fighters with J-20s.
Furthermore, a second air brigade within the STC, potentially the 54th Air Brigade, also appears to be inducting J-20s. Janes has identified J-20 serial numbers associated with this brigade in satellite images. JSIA suggests this unit may have redeployed to Changsha Ningxiang, located within the STC area.
Western Theater Command
In the Western Theater Command (WTC), the PLAAF’s 97th Air Brigade, based at Dazu in central China, seems to be inducting J-20s, a development identified in March 2024 via satellite imagery showing a J-20 with a corresponding serial number. The WTC also operates a dedicated J-20 unit, the 111th Air Brigade, based at Korla in the Xinjiang autonomous region.
In 2023, JSIA assessed the 111th Air Brigade as operating at least 15 J-20s, which had replaced older J-11s observed in satellite images in 2022. By 2024, the unit’s potential strength had reportedly increased to up to 28 J-20s, according to JSIA. The increase in operational units and numbers strengthens the theater’s capabilities with some of the world’s best air fighter aircraft.
Map showing locations of PLAAF air brigades equipped with the J-20 fighter aircraft.
The growing number of available J-20s has also allowed China to deploy the aircraft closer to India. Satellite imagery confirmed the arrival of a detachment of at least six J-20s at Shigatse (Xigaze) Peace Airport in Tibet on 27 May 2024. This deployment is expected to either supplement or replace an existing detachment of fourth-generation Chengdu J-10 fighter aircraft at the airport, marking a significant upgrade in capability in the Himalayan region.
Conclusion
China’s aggressive expansion and strategic deployment of the J-20 fighter aircraft across multiple theater commands highlight the PLAAF’s commitment to modernizing its air force with advanced fifth-generation capabilities. The rapid increase in fleet numbers and the equipping of more air brigades demonstrate the J-20’s pivotal role in China’s defense strategy, particularly in regions of geopolitical significance like the East China Sea, South China Sea, and near the Indian border. This sustained build-up positions the J-20 as a cornerstone of China’s future air power projection.
