The Diplomat | Author
Rick Joe
Rick Joe is a longtime follower of Chinese military developments, with a focus on air and naval platforms.
September 11, 2023
Assessing the Chinese Navy’s New 054B Frigate
By Rick Joe
A successor to the PLAN’s workhorse, the 054A, has been rumored for a decade. Now it’s finally here.
August 01, 2023
China’s J-20 Gets Another Upgrade
By Rick Joe
Updates on the 5th-gen fighter’s WS-15 engine, new variants, and fleet size, and what it all means for the future of China’s fighter fleet.
July 06, 2023
KJ-600: The Eye in the Sky for China’s Future Carriers
By Rick Joe
Assessing what we know so far about China’s fixed-wing carrier-based airborne early warning and control (AEWC) aircraft.
February 15, 2022
What a 19-Year-Old Study Tells Us About China’s J-20
By Rick Joe
A study from 2003 – now available in exclusive English translation – contains important insights on China’s fifth-generation (and beyond) fighter development.
November 23, 2021
Reviewing China’s New Stealth Fighters
By Rick Joe
What we know about the twin seat J-20 and carrier-borne FC-31 fighter – and a mystery tailless airframe captured in satellite imagery.
October 11, 2021
A Tale of 2 Navies: India and China’s Carrier Airwing Development
By Rick Joe
Despite the Indian Navy's head start in the 1990s, China's carrier capabilities and virtually all carrier-relevant industries have overtaken India's in scale and sophistication.
August 04, 2021
A Tale of 2 Navies: India and China’s Current Carrier and Escort Procurement
By Rick Joe
By 2030, how many carriers and escort ships will China and India each have on hand?
July 03, 2021
A Tale of 2 Navies: Reviewing India and China’s Aircraft Carrier Procurement
By Rick Joe
The 21st century carrier programs in India and China are fascinating for their similarities – and for their differences.
May 20, 2021
China’s J-15 Carrierborne Fighter: Sizing up the Competition
By Rick Joe
Just how capable is the J-15, and where does its future lie?
April 28, 2021
It’s Time to Talk About J-15, China’s First Carrierborne Fighter
By Rick Joe
Rumors of the J-15's unreliability have been greatly exaggerated.
February 18, 2021
The FC-31, China’s ‘Other’ Stealth Fighter
By Rick Joe
A look at the jet with many names – and its carrier-based future.
January 11, 2021
J-20: The Stealth Fighter That Changed PLA Watching Forever
By Rick Joe
A decade after the J-20's maiden flight, a look back at China's fifth generation stealth fighter – and how it changed PLA watching forever.
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