On the international military map, the combat strength of the air force has always been an important indicator of a country's comprehensive national defense capability. In recent years, the rapid development of the Chinese Air Force, especially in the production of fighters, has shown amazing achievements, and this is attracting the attention of global military forces. According to reports, China's annual production of J-20 fighters may have reached a staggering figure of 100 aircraft, and this huge increase in production capacity is undoubtedly a challenge for the US military, which has enjoyed air superiority for a long time. How can the US Air Force deal with such a rising adversary? This has prompted the US military to begin to deeply reflect on its own strategic layout, especially in military reform.
Against this backdrop, we will take a closer look at the comparison of the combat capabilities of the U.S. and Chinese air forces, as well as the challenges faced by the U.S. Air Force and the urgency of reform.
All this time, the ability to produce fighters reflects the industrial strength and technological level of a country. China's J-20 production capacity has increased dramatically, which is a key factor in the U.S.-China military power comparison. According to open-source intelligence and various analysis reports, China has now been able to approach or exceed the rate of producing 100 J-20 fighters per year.
In contrast, more than half of the F-35 fighter jets produced in the United States are used to meet orders from allies, and the number of new aircraft that can really enhance the strength of the US military is relatively limited. This contrast reflects China's slow but steady tendency to catch up with the United States in modernizing its air force.
The increase in the number of J-20s indicates that the gap between the strength of the Chinese and American air forces is narrowing. The F-22, which has attracted the attention of the world, has been surpassed by the J-20 in the number of heavy stealth fighters, indicating a gradual change in the balance of air power between China and the United States.
This change in trend has drawn attention to the growth momentum of China's air force, forcing the United States to reassess its air force strategy and seek possible countermeasures.
Although the United States occupies a leading position in global military power and military technology, compared to China, the US military appears to be stretched thin in terms of mass production capacity.
In the past few years, although the number of F-35s delivered by the US military is large, the proportion of actual service with the US military is not high. In contrast, China's J-20's increasing annual production has provided strong support for the rapid modernization of its air force.
Calls for military reform are growing in the United States. The sweeping reform plan, proposed by Air Secretary Frank Kendall, aims to ensure the superiority of the U.S. Air Force by increasing combat effectiveness, tactical diversity, and rapidly deploying capabilities.
The deployment of different aircraft types, the increased frequency of emergency drills and actual combat exercises all point to the same goal: to maintain absolute combat superiority in the air.
The contrast of industrial power is another key point that affects the development of the air forces of the two countries. The United States, which has gone through the changes of the times, is no longer the country with the largest industrial strength, and the blossoming of the financial industry and the economic transformation in the process have brought about the hollowing out of the so-called "Rust Belt" industry.
China, on the other hand, has a huge and complete industrial system that provides a solid foundation and impetus for military production.
Kendall proposed a reconsideration of the layout of the U.S. Air Force's nuclear forces - the status of tactical nuclear forces began to be reassessed.
This shows the sense of oppression that the United States feels in the face of the rapid growth of the Chinese power, and it is also a recognition of the progress of the power in the past 20 years.
Challenges to Reform].
While Kendall's military reform is seen as the key to improving combat effectiveness, it will undoubtedly face a lot of resistance, from the Department of Defense's bureaucracy to the balance of interests among the various services.
Moreover, disruptive reforms will take time to implement, and it is doubtful that Kendall's tenure will be able to accomplish this historic mission, and even if the reforms are ultimately successful, there is no guarantee that they will be able to effectively reverse the power gap with China's air force.
Strategic Situation in the Western Pacific].
The comparison of the military power, especially the air force, of China and the United States in the Western Pacific cannot be judged simply by quantitative comparison.
A comprehensive analysis must be conducted at multiple levels, including the entire military system, strategic intent, alliance relations, and regional stability. The current tension and uncertainty make the reform of the US Air Force even more urgent.
In this new military era with informationization as the core, the role and functions of the Air Force are becoming increasingly important. In the face of the ever-changing technological changes and changes in the strategic balance, the realization of any dream of strengthening the military must be premised on adapting to the requirements of the new era. Both China's growth in air force and the military reform promoted by the United States in response to the current international situation have embodied a common idea: Only by constantly reforming and innovating can we maintain the vitality and competitiveness of our national defense forces.
This invisible military competition will not only shape the development path of the Chinese and US militaries in the next few years, but will also affect the direction of the entire international strategic pattern.