China’s J-20 pilots train for dogfights as flying hours outpace US

China’s J-20 stealth fighters have been seen in rare footage practising close-range dogfights, highlighting the PLA Air Force’s push to build a more experienced combat-ready pilot force. Ex-U.S. Air Force Colonel John Venable said Chinese fighter pilots now fly around 200 hours annually, compared with roughly 150 hours for U.S. Air Force pilots. With J-20 production expanding and reports suggesting China could field around 1,000 aircraft by 2030, the training drive is raising fresh questions over Beijing’s air-war preparations around Taiwan.