Did China steal its first stealth fighter?

China has a long and established history of borrowing (or outright stealing) designs, technologies, and even entire aircraft from its competitors, and evidence suggests the nation’s premiere stealth fighter, the Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon, is no exception.

The J-20 was the world’s first non-American stealth platform to enter operational service, effectively ending Uncle Sam’s 34-year monopoly on low-observability that stretched all the way back to 1983. As the J-20 entered service, many within both the United States and Russia accused the People’s Republic of China of stealing their stealth fighter designs to hurry their own jet into service.

???? Follow Sandboxx News on social
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sandboxxnews
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sandboxxnews
Facebook: https://facebook.com/sandboxxnews
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sandboxxnews

???? Follow Alex Hollings on social
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexHollings52
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexhollingswrites
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexHollingsWrites
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexhollings52

Further Reading:
Original article: https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/stolen-stealth-fighter-why-chinas-j-20-has-both-us-and-russian-dna/
How do the world's stealth fighters really stack up?: https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/how-do-the-worlds-stealth-fighters-really-stack-up/

Citations:
China's counterfeit airpower: https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/g23303922/china-copycat-air-force/
Russian statements about the J-20: https://ria.ru/20161101/1480480097.html
Russian statements about the J-20 #2: https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/j-20-design.htm#:~:text=The%20J%2D20%20has%20a,that%20of%20the%20F%2D22.
IISS Statement: https://www.rbth.com/articles/2011/08/29/mig_denies_stealth_technology_transfer_to_china_for_j-20_fighter_12923
Reuters report: https://www.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-58851920110818
Su Bin arrest: https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2016/03/24/chinese-businessman-pleads-guilty-of-spying-on-f-35-and-f-22/