WASHINGTON — The United States will retain a far bigger fleet of top-end fighter planes than China for years to come despite Beijing's early test of a Stealth jet that has stoked concern over its military buildup, the US defense chief said Thursday.
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates told lawmakers that China faces a "long road" before deploying its J-20 Stealth fighter in any numbers, and predicted a continuing "huge disparity" compared with America's fleet of low-observable aircraft.
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US Adm. Robert Willard said the United States was watching "very carefully," and it was important for China to be open and hold a dialogue with the US and other countries in the region about its intentions.
