What US intel officials say about China’s new H-20 stealth bomber

US officials appear unfazed by the development of China's new H-20 stealth bomber, which is expected to be Beijing’s response to American advanced stealth aircraft like the B-21 Raider. During a briefing at the Pentagon, a Department of Defense intelligence official confidently remarked that the Chinese stealth bomber does not measure up to the US low observable platforms."The thing with the H-20 is when you actually look at the system design, it’s probably nowhere near as good as US LO platforms, particularly more advanced ones that we have coming down," the official said, emphasizing that China has encountered significant engineering challenges that hinder its operational capabilities comparable to US models such as the B-2 or B-21.
As per a Breaking Defense report, despite China's plans to soon unveil the H-20, as indicated by a Chinese military official to the state-owned Hong Kong Commercial Daily, the US intelligence community sees it more as a display of military prowess than a practical augmentation in capability. "You may choose to unveil it just because they want to show that they’re a great, you know, military power. That doesn’t necessarily mean it actually delivers them the kind of capability that they would need or at the quantity that they would need," added the DoD official.
This sentiment aligns with previous US military assessments, such as when Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, former Pacific Air Forces Commander, downplayed the capabilities of China's J-20 stealth fighter in 2022, suggesting it was not a significant concern. The DoD intelligence official concurred that while the J-20 is a capable system, it did not meet all of China’s initial expectations.
Moreover, the briefing underscored China's broader military modernization efforts, including the significant expansion of its nuclear arsenal, which US officials estimate could exceed 1,000 warheads by 2030. However, the efficacy of China's military might is questionable, highlighted by reports of corruption within its ranks leading to defective equipment and ineffective leadership. Despite these challenges, the US is preparing for a potential protracted conflict, emphasizing readiness over complacency.