The recent debut of the US B-21 Raider bomber has left military analysts wondering how China will respond with its own stealth bomber, the Xian H-20.
Development of the H-20 in China
China has longed for a stealth bomber for more than two decades. Their interest dates back to the downing of an F-117 Nighthawk in the Kosovo War, from which they obtained parts to analyze and learn about stealth technology.
In 2013, the first reports of the PLAAF’s development of a stealth bomber were published, and in 2014, China announced that the new bomber would have a long-distance range with a large weapons payload.
The H-20 program was formally launched in 2018, and its design is expected to resemble the American B-2. A report released by the US in 2018 revealed that China was working on a long-range stealth strategic bomber, believed to be the H-20.
Expected H-20 Features
The H-20 is expected to have a rounded fuselage with wings blended into its body and curved air inlets, similar to the B-2 or B-21. The PLAAF wants the H-20 to be nuclear-capable, like the B-21, and also be able to fire conventional missiles or even hypersonic weapons with an internal rotary launcher.
The H-20 could also feature active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and a range of 8,000 km, allowing it to hit targets in Guam, Australia, Hawaii, the Philippines, and Japan.
Implications for the military balance in the Indo-Pacific
A senior US Defense Department official claimed in November that the H-20 is light years away from entering regular service in the PLAAF and that it will not significantly change the military balance in the Indo-Pacific anytime soon.
The H-20 could fly alongside China’s J-20 stealth fighter, which has already been deployed to all combat regions on the mainland. China and Russia conducted a joint patrol of their bombers on November 30, just before the debut of the B-21 Raider.
The future of the H-20
US intelligence and the US Indo-Pacific Command will closely monitor the development of the H-20. China is desperately looking for its stealth bomber, which will likely look like the B-2 and B-21. The H-20 could give China an advantage in its nuclear strategy and in developing first- or second-strike tactics against the US and its allies.
Summary
China is determined to develop its own stealth bomber, the H-20, modeled on the American B-21 Raider. Although still years away from entering service, the H-20 could play a crucial role in China’s nuclear strategy and change the military balance in the Indo-Pacific region.
With its significant range and advanced capabilities, the H-20 could present a new challenge to the United States and its allies in the region.
