China will gain significant power from the H-20
The H-20 program was first unveiled in 2016 by the People’s Liberation Army as a “new generation long-range bomber”, which Beijing would develop as a replacement for the US B-2 Spirit and B-21 Raider. Bombers were seen as the answer. According to the Pentagon, the H-20’s range will be “more than 10,000 kilometers (about 6,214 miles),” “enabling the PLAAF to cover other island chains and the western Pacific region.”
The H-20 can circumnavigate the world
She added that the bomber is expected to use conventional and nuclear weapons and will have a “stealth design.” Although the PLA has released little information about the top-secret bomber, the Pentagon’s latest estimate increased the estimated range of the aircraft by 1,500 kilometers compared to the 2021 report.
What did China say about H-20?
She added that air refueling could expand its scope “to cover the entire world.” One of China’s most recent official comments on the H-20 came in March, when Wang Wei, deputy commander of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, said an official announcement about the bomber would be made “soon.” “There are no technical difficulties. Our researchers are doing a good job and are very capable,” Wang said in response to a reporter during the “two sessions” of China’s annual legislative and consultative meetings held in Beijing.
The H-20 can launch a nuclear bomb
State-owned Chinese Broadcasting Corporation CCTV also released teasers for the H-20 in several programs, but did not show any specific data. A strategic bomber capable of launching a nuclear warhead is seen as a feature of the so-called nuclear triad, providing a full deterrence capability alongside land-based ICBMs and ballistic missile submarines.
