Image source: topwar.ru
The US authorities are puzzled by the issue of increasing the production of fifth-generation F-35 fighters. But Washington is clearly losing the race with China so far. This is reported by The Asia Times.
Earlier, The Warzone reported that the decision to increase production of the latest aircraft was made more than four years later than previously planned. 1,000 F-35 aircraft have already been produced for the US Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and foreign customers.
However, the produced aircraft are not being put into operation due to delays in the development and creation of the Tech Refresh-3 (TR-3) configuration, which is at the heart of the advanced capabilities of the fighters. Among these features are expanded computing power, an improved cooling system, a new guidance system, and so on.
Image source: topwar.ru
China's J-20 fighter jet
On the other hand, the main opponent of the United States, China, is probably lagging behind in the race for advanced stealth fighter capabilities. However, he is actively implementing a program of fifth-generation fighters, the flagship of which is the J-20 aircraft.
Earlier, the Asia Times wrote that Beijing plans to overtake Washington in the production of fifth-generation fighter jets. The number of J-20 aircraft will exceed the number of American F-22s this year, the publication claims. The United States stopped production of the F-22 back in 2011. By this time, only 187 such aircraft had been built. China now has up to 200 J-20 fighter jets.
Although the United States had 450 F-35 fighters by April 2022, the production of J-20 aircraft in China is actively gaining momentum. A situation is being created in which China will eventually have a much larger number of fighter jets, and this will create serious problems for the United States in the event of a direct conflict.