China’s Air Power Soars: Over 400 Fighter Jets Raise Stakes in East Asia, Lessons from U.S. Gulf War

China’s Obsession with Dominating Air Superiority: Over 400 Latest Fighter Jets
and Lessons from the U.S. Gulf War

China’s military buildup has been unprecedented in world history, occurring rapidly and on a large scale. Particularly in terms of air power, China has posed a threat to East Asian countries by producing aircraft that rival those of the U.S. and Russia.

Recent analysis of China’s air power provides insight into China’s obsession with enhancing its air force. How much air power does China possess, and what is the basis for this obsession? Let’s find out.

Over 400 of 4th and 5th Generation Jets
Technology has Greatly Improved

According to recent expert analysis, based on the numbers marked on the fighter jets, China is likely to have at least 200 of the 5th generation stealth fighter J-20 and over 240 of the 4.5 generation multirole fighter J-16.

There have been significant improvements in China’s aircraft industry’s manufacturing tolerances and quality control. Moreover, they have considerably caught up with U.S. technology regarding low-observable design, an essential aspect of stealth. In both quantity and quality, China has rapidly caught up to the U.S.

Dominate the Sky to Win
China Learned from the U.S.

The lesson that air power determines victory in modern warfare is evident from the U.S.’s Gulf War experience. The U.S. was able to completely destroy Iraq’s air force, anti-aircraft network, and radar network based on its overwhelming quantitative and qualitative superiority. Many analyses suggest that victory in the Gulf War was virtually guaranteed from this point.

China has not forgotten the U.S. lesson that air power is critical to winning a war. This is why China has been obsessed with air power, understanding that it needs an air force that no neighboring country can surpass to seize and maintain hegemony. This is likely the origin of China’s fixation on its air force.