At Least Three Frontline Units Now Operating ‘Fifth-Generation’ Fighter

An image released on Chinese online forums indicates that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has been equipping its 5^th Air Brigade at Guilin-Lijiacun with Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) J-20A fifth-generation multirole aircraft to replace its ageing J-10B and J-10S fighters.

Released in mid-January, the photograph shows a J-20A powered by indigenous WS10C engines. Serial numbers indicate the aircraft is operated by 5^th Air Brigade, subordinate to Southern Theatre Command (STC).

Meanwhile, state-broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) released footage of a J-20A confirming that 1^st Air Brigade at Anshan (in Northern Theatre Command), also operates the type. This means there are now at least three operational frontline units equipped with J-20As: 5^th and 1^st Air Brigades, both operating variants with WS10 engines, and 9^th Air Brigade at Wuhu (Eastern Theatre Command.)

Besides frontline squadrons, the J-20 is also operated by 172^nd Air Brigade at Cangzhou/Cangxian air base and 176^th Air Brigade/Flight Test & Training Base (FTTB) at Dingxin air base. The 176^th is the operational test unit used to evaluate the J-20 and develop tactics, while the 172^nd is the initial training unit for instructors and for developing training material.

Based on the construction numbers spotted on some aircraft, it seems there are more J-20As already in service than initially estimated. A recent image of a J-20 revealed a construction number corresponding to the 56th aircraft in the second batch, suggesting that about 100 J-20As, if not more, may have already been built.

Andreas Rupprecht and Gabriel Dominguez reporting for MON