General Kenneth S. Wilsbach, the leader of Pacific Air Forces, has provided fresh insights into China’s expanding fleet of J-20 stealth fighters. According to General Wilsbach, in comparison to the capabilities of the United States and its allies, the J-20 does not currently qualify as a “dominant aircraft.” This assessment is consistent with his previous evaluations of the J-20 made last year.
These comments were delivered during the 2023 Air & Space Forces Association’s annual symposium near Washington, D.C., an event attended by The War Zone. The J-20, the sole operational stealth fighter within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), made its maiden flight in 2011. The exact number of J-20s produced since then remains uncertain, though estimates suggest there are approximately 160-200 airframes.
General Wilsbach emphasized, “I don’t believe it holds a dominant position at this time when compared to what we have in terms of stealthy F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightnings. They have essentially replicated much of the technology from the J-20, most of which was obtained from the U.S.”
He expressed unwavering confidence in the capabilities of U.S. aircraft, along with those of their allies and partners, to counter any potential threat posed by the J-20. The collective strength of this multinational coalition, which regularly conducts high-threat scenario training, would present a formidable challenge for any Chinese aircraft, according to General Wilsbach.
General Wilsbach elaborated, “If we compare aircraft to aircraft and consider the training our U.S. Air Force personnel receive, along with our interoperability with U.S. allies and partners, the Chinese are still at a significant disadvantage. This is especially true when we factor in our collaboration with Korean allies and partners.”
However, if we include other countries in the equation, their calculations become much more complex. Recent joint exercises such as Talisman Sabre, Northern Edge, and Valiant Shield have demonstrated an exceptionally high level of complexity. We are raising the bar, making these exercises more demanding and high-end.”
General Wilsbach also addressed concerns about the potential threat posed by J-20s to Taiwan’s defense in the event of a Chinese military intervention across the Taiwan Strait. U.S. military officials have suggested that the PLA might be capable of executing such an intervention by 2027 or even sooner. General Wilsbach, however, emphasized that the Chinese threat to Taiwan should not be narrowly focused on the J-20.
He remarked, “Taiwan must have systems in place to counter not just the J-20, but also other aircraft like H-6 bombers that can enter Taiwan’s airspace and deploy weapons. Additionally, there are concerns about ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. While the J-20 is a concern, Taiwan needs to prepare for a broader range of threats to become a resilient and formidable target.”
This perspective is particularly relevant considering that Taiwan’s most advanced fighter is the F-16V, with plans for additional new-build Vipers. Taiwan is also enhancing its ground and sea-based integrated air defense systems to bolster its defense capabilities against a variety of potential threats.