In a move that attracted global spotlight, China recently asserted that its most advanced fighter jet—the J-20 “Mighty Dragon”—stealth flew through one of the most closely monitored airspaces on the planet without being spotted by American, Japanese, or South Korean radars.
The supposed stealth flight was said to have happened over the Tsushima Strait, an extremely narrow space between Japan and South Korea where, due to military tensions, a number of strategically positioned radars are installed to watch the airspace.
What Is the J-20?
The J-20 is a Chinese high-end, fifth-generation jet aircraft. Intended to be a stealth, speed, and long-range strike machine, it is often likened to the American F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
China has been keen to showcase its capabilities, and this recent flight is just one example of how it wants to prove its technology is up to the mark.
What Did China Say?
Alongside some captured moments from the flight, Chinese state media posted a story claiming that the J-20 went very silently through the strait, thus accomplishing the mission as it was not detected by the radars.
An elite fighter squadron was assigned for the mission, and the media released the event as a big triumph of China’s air force and stealth technology.
But Did It Really Go Undetected?
That’s the big question. There has been no official statement from the U.S., Japan, or South Korea yet, but these countries’ top-notch radar installations, especially in the Tsushima Strait, make many experts doubtful about such a claim. The fact that there are no reactions does not mean the aircraft was not traced. Governments frequently opt not to issue a statement about sensitive military operations. Some analysts even say that these actions may have been more about propaganda than actual stealth performance testing.
Final Thoughts: Show of Strength or True Stealth?
The real question is if the J-20 was really invisible to enemy radar or not; one thing is clear—China is confident in its air power and wants the world to know it. Unconfirmed though the allegation may be, it unmistakably heralds the Chinese military’s mounting ambitions.
For now, the truth about the J-20’s radar evasion remains in the skies. But one thing that is unquestionably clear: The competition to achieve stealth and superiority in the air is only heating up. Keep watching—although the air may seem still, it still holds mysteries.