The Paris Air Show, the largest and most prestigious airshow globally, attracts significant attention every time it is held. This year’s event, taking place after the Russia-Ukraine conflict, saw a substantial increase in countries’ demand for military equipment. As a result, participating nations showcased their flagship products in the hope of attracting foreign buyers and securing defense contracts.
China, as a leading global power, could not afford to miss the event. However, what surprised everyone was the presence of the J-20 fighter jet, making its debut outside of China. In the past, China had never displayed the J-20 at international airshows. The only stealth aircraft showcased was the FC-31, which was still a prototype at that time. But this time, not only did the J-20 appear at a foreign exhibition stand, it also occupied a prominent position alongside other export products, instantly capturing attention.
During the previous international airshows where the FC-31 was showcased, many countries expressed interest in purchasing the aircraft, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand. These countries had long desired to acquire fifth-generation fighters but were hesitant due to the high cost of purchasing American alternatives. The FC-31’s debut provided them with a new option. However, these countries have yet to confirm any purchases as the FC-31, despite being a stealth fighter, has not produced a prototype, let alone entered mass production. They tend to prefer buying readily available aircraft to rapidly equip their forces and conduct relevant training.
The emergence of the J-20 now offers these countries a new choice. With multiple J-20 aircraft already in service and achieving mass production in China, and considering the various available variants, the J-20 has operated for many years without any significant incidents. This stands in stark contrast to the F-35, the only fifth-generation fighter available for export, which frequently experiences malfunctions and crashes. Even now, the F-35 has yet to resolve hundreds of defects. These countries, therefore, prefer purchasing a proven aircraft with a flawless track record.
Moreover, as previously reported, the J-20 has entered mass production, indicating its substantial production capacity. If these countries were to acquire the J-20, they could receive the aircraft within a short timeframe. In contrast, the F-35 has a backlog of orders stretching for a decade even with full-speed production.
If the J-20 were to be exported, it would potentially trigger a major shift in the global arms market. The F-22, the most powerful and discontinued fifth-generation fighter of the U.S. military, is not available for sale. The only mass-produced F-35, a single-engine medium-sized fighter, falls short in terms of performance and firepower compared to the J-20. Moreover, based on previous encounters between the J-20 and F-35, the J-20 has demonstrated the ability to lock onto the F-35 without being detected and engage in beyond-visual-range combat.
However, it is important to note that the J-20 available for export would not be the same as the ones currently in service with the Chinese military. Similar to the U.S. F-22, concerns about technology leakage prohibit China from exporting its most advanced J-20 variant. The F-22, a top-tier fighter, has not been seen in combat since its introduction, and the U.S. strictly prohibits its export to prevent compromising its advanced technology and secrets. Similarly, the J-20, as China’s most advanced operational fighter, will not be available for export. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that China will export a low-spec version of the J-20, similar to what Russia has done with the Su-57.