The PLA Air Force and Navy Air Force are likely to purchase 700 new stealth fighters, said Edward Hunt, a senior defense consultant at IHS Aerospace, Defense & Security in an article written for the UK-based Jane's Defence Weekly.

The United States alone will purchase 2,616 fifth-generation stealth fighters, including the F-22 and F-35 designed by Lockheed Martin, according to the article. Members of NATO including Great Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Turkey and Canada are planning to purchase a combined 600 F-35 fighters. In the Asia-Pacific region, Japan, South Korea and Australia will purchase an estimated 300 F-35s.

Russia, China and India are expected to acquire more than 1,500 fifth-generation stealth fighters to counter the United States. The fighters are designed to replace their older fourth-generation fighters including the Su-27, Su-30 and Mig-29. To confront any potential threat from F-35s among the US and its allies in the Far East, China is likely to purchase between 200 and 300 of Chengdu Aerospace Corporation's J-20 and 400 of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's J-31.

With about 700 stealth fighters, China would be capable of dealing with Japanese and South Korean F-35s fighters over the disputed East China Sea. Meanwhile, they can be pitted against Australian's F-35 in the Southern Pacific.

By 2030, more stealth fighters will be introduced into the global market. Japan is likely to purchase the Mitsubishi ATD-X for potential aerial combat against China over the Diaoyutai (Diaoyu or Senkaku) islands.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-s...00109&cid=1101