The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) made a significant statement at the 2025 Changchun Air Show by publicly displaying its J-20 stealth fighter on static ground for the first time, moving away from its traditional flyover-only appearances.

The event also marked a production milestone, with confirmation that the 300th J-20 has entered service, underscoring China's rapid expansion of its most advanced operational fighter and signaling growing confidence in the aircraft’s capabilities.

The J-20, a fifth-generation stealth fighter developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, features a canard-delta wing configuration, diverterless supersonic intakes, and internal weapons bays designed to minimize radar signature. Powered by Shenyang WS-10C engines with serrated afterburner nozzles for reduced radar cross-section, the aircraft is capable of supercruise and has a maximum speed of Mach 2, a service ceiling of 20,000 meters, and a combat radius of approximately 2,000 kilometers. The J-20 is equipped with advanced avionics, including an active electronically scanned array radar, distributed electro-optical sensors, and a helmet-mounted display system for high off-boresight targeting.

In a related development, a September 9 post by the X account PLA Military Updates showcased the J-20 in a “beast mode” configuration, carrying twelve PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles and two PL-10 short-range missiles. Eight PL-15s were mounted externally on pylons, with four PL-15s and two PL-10s carried internally, sacrificing stealth for increased firepower. This setup, supported by a KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft, allows the J-20 to act as a missile-launching platform guided by external sensors under an “A guide B shoot” concept, enhancing its flexibility in varied combat scenarios.

The PL-15, a radar-guided beyond-visual-range missile with a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, boasts speeds above Mach 5 and a range of 200–300 kilometers. Its export variant, the PL-15E, saw combat use in May 2025 during the India–Pakistan conflict, where Pakistani J-10C aircraft downed an Indian Rafale, with missile debris later recovered for analysis. The PL-10, an infrared-guided short-range missile, offers maneuverability exceeding 60Gs and a 20-kilometer range, comparable to Western systems like the IRIS-T and AIM-9X.

With over 300 J-20s produced, including the upgraded J-20A and twin-seat J-20S variants confirmed on September 3, 2025, China’s stealth fighter fleet is among the world’s largest. The integration of the higher-thrust WS-15 engine is expected to further enhance performance. The J-20’s ability to switch between stealth-optimized missions and high-capacity “beast mode” configurations highlights the PLAAF’s doctrinal flexibility, positioning the aircraft as a key asset in air superiority and precision strike roles. This public display and production milestone at Changchun signal China’s intent to project airpower dominance in the region. (ILKHA)