-China Unveils New Fighter Jets, Sparking Debate on 6th Generation Capabilities
New images of Chinese fighter jets, released online this week, have been described as a bold “invitation” to a competition for the next-generation fighter jet by a Russian military expert.
The videos and photos, which surfaced on December 26, show two previously unseen tailless jets – a larger, angular aircraft and a smaller one with pointed wings. While there has been no official statement from Beijing, the images have sparked international media debates, with some observers speculating that the planes could be the first 6th generation fighters.
“One can assume that one of the two experimental aircraft is designed for attack missions, including ground attacks and possibly ship targets, while the other is intended to dominate the skies and control the air space” said Dmitri Stefanowitsch, a military researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of World Economy and International Relations, in an interview with RT.
However, the expert cautioned that the images show the general state of Chinese aircraft development rather than the specific capabilities of the new jets, and that the term “6th generation” is often used loosely.
China will have to compete with the US in the development of next-generation fighter jets, Stefanowitsch noted. “While there are no wonder weapons on the horizon, China is clearly inviting itself to a new arms race, at least in terms of quality.”
The expert also reminded that the US is the only country with a advanced program for a new strategic bomber, the B-21, which can be adapted to some of the capabilities attributed to the 6th generation. The comparable Chinese and Russian planes have not yet taken off, he added.