China Unveils New $120 Million Fighter Jet

Take a look at the 'Mighty Dragon,' China's $120 million answer to the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet

Marielle Descalsota

• The Chengdu J-20 is China's most advanced stealth fighter jet.

• The jet's research and development cost more than 30 billion yuan ($4.4 billion).

• The J-20 had several encounters with the US-made Lockheed F-35 jets in 2020, per the SCMP.

The Chengdu J-20 is China's most advanced stealth fighter jet.

The jet was introduced to China's People's Liberation Army Air Force in March 2017. Manufactured by Sichuan province-based Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, the jet is one of China's most advanced military weapons.

It made its public debut in November 2016 at the Zhuhai air show in Guangdong, China.

The J-20 is only the third fifth-generation jet fighter aircraft in history, after the US-made Lockheed Martin F-22 and F-35 jets. The Chinese Air Force had a fleet of more than 50 J-20 jets in 2021.

The Chinese jet has drawn comparisons to the F-35 since the jets were locked in military encounters in 2020.