The images of China’s latest combat jets, which emerged online in December, continue to cause a stir and spark discussions in the West. Beijing is modernizing its military to be able to compete with Washington for air superiority, given the growing tensions in the region.
For the Deutsche Bank, the pictures of the new Chinese combat jet serve as a cause for concern, as they illustrate the inactivity of the US Air Force, whose fighter jet fleet appears outdated in comparison to the new Chinese variant. The combat jets the American military has at its disposal are the F-35 and F-22 of the fifth generation from Lockheed Martin.
Scott Deuschle, a financial analyst for aerospace and defense at the Deutsche Bank in New York, referred to the images as a “wake-up call” for the US Air Force. This follows “several years of inactivity from the US Air Force in terms of acquiring aircraft of the sixth generation, except for the B-21” Deuschle said. The B-21 Raider is a strategic long-range bomber in development and is also counted as a sixth-generation aircraft. Deuschle also criticized the current air force of the US – specifically the F-35, which is considered one of the world’s most modern aircraft: “That China might already be using sixth-generation capabilities before the F-35 has reached its full Block-4 capability is a regrettable state of affairs.”
Recent statements from Elon Musk on the future of combat jets could also be an indication of the future course: The designated Trump advisor wrote on his platform X that “some idiots are still building manned combat jets like the F-35.” He posted a video of a coordinated maneuver of several – likely Chinese – drones. “Manned combat jets are obsolete in the age of drones. [..] Only pilots get killed.” He highlighted the high speed, improved stealth technology, and armament of Chinese aircraft. “China is not just catching up, China is overtaking us – that changes everything.” Washington should not rest on the existing aircraft. It must invest in the new generation, “as if our lives depend on it.”
The Indo-Pacific has become the central stage in the rivalry between Washington and Beijing. There are large distances between US bases, said Kelly Grieco, who deals with modern air combat at the Stimson Center in Washington. It would be “very difficult” to operate in this region with a typical combat jet that only has about half the range. Most aircraft were developed for European scenarios, where there are many bases. Over the Indo-Pacific, the US is currently reliant on aerial refueling. Tank aircraft are, however, large, slow, and therefore an “attractive target”.