# China's newest air force jets have next-generation radars. New USAF F-35's have no radars at all. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfat53Oe_Js Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/yfat53Oe_Js Generated: 2026-02-23T12:34:16.962+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview China is leveraging its near-monopoly on raw materials like gallium and germanium, which are essential for advanced semiconductor technology, to gain a strategic advantage over the US military-industrial complex, evidenced by China fielding J-20 fighters with advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN) radars while the US Air Force is reportedly delivering F-35s without their required APG-85 radars due to integration challenges and supply chain disruptions. **Key Points:** - China accounts for 99% of worldwide primary low-purity gallium production in 2024, giving it control over a critical resource for advanced military electronics. - China's strategic advantage is enabling it to deploy cutting-edge phased array radar systems on J-20 fighters at a pace unmatched by the United States. - US Air Force F-35s are being delivered without the new AN/APG-85 radar, possibly until Lot 20, due to integration challenges between the APG-81 and the future APG-85 radar systems. - F-35s delivered without radars are significantly constrained operationally and may be restricted to training or ferry roles until retrofitted. - Lockheed Martin CEO suggested that the APG-85 integration is 'challenging' due to different bulkhead configurations compared to the existing APG-81 radar. - The issues underscore how critical supply chain links, like the supply of gallium, can affect the remainder of the chain, leading to operational deficiencies like aircraft sitting on the tarmac. - The US is 100% dependent on gallium imports, highlighting a major strategic vulnerability exacerbated by China's control over the raw material. ![Screenshot at 00:09: A graphic displaying the periodic table entry for Gallium \(Ga\), highlighting its atomic number \(31\) and name, illustrating the specific critical metal being discussed.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/yfat53Oe_Js/00-00-09.jpg) **Context:** The video discusses the strategic implications of China's near-monopoly on key raw materials, specifically gallium and germanium, which are vital for advanced semiconductor technology like Gallium Nitride (GaN) used in modern radar systems. This resource control is contrasted with reported delays affecting the US F-35 fighter program, where aircraft are being delivered missing their advanced APG-85 radars due to integration and supply chain issues. ## Detailed Analysis The video argues that China is weaponizing its near 99% monopoly on low-purity gallium production (848,000 kg in 2024) to gain a strategic edge over the US defense sector. This control over the raw material for Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductors allows China to deploy advanced radar systems on its J-20 fighters faster than the US can integrate them into its F-35 fleet. Evidence suggests that the US Air Force is receiving F-35s without the required AN/APG-85 radar, possibly until Lot 20, forcing them to use compensatory weights instead (00:32:00-00:34:00). Rep. Rob Wittman confirmed the integration of the new radar is 'challenging' because the APG-85's bulkhead configuration differs significantly from the current APG-81 radar. This reliance means the US is 100% dependent on imports for gallium, creating a significant vulnerability. Consequently, F-35s without the radar are operationally constrained, likely limited to training or ferry roles, mirroring past issues in the F-35 program. ### China's Material Monopoly - China controls 99% of worldwide primary low-purity gallium production (848,000 kg in 2024) - This monopoly is described as a 'permission slip' controlling who gets to build the future - China's export controls on gallium and germanium exploit this near-monopoly for military electronics advantage. ### US F-35 Radar Delays - F-35s are being delivered without the new APG-85 radar, which uses GaN technology, due to integration challenges - Delivery dates are being pushed back, with some aircraft potentially arriving without radars until Lot 20, possibly two years later - Aircraft without radars are significantly constrained and may only be used for training or ferry roles. ### Military Implications - China's J-20 fifth-generation fighters are reportedly receiving new radar domes, indicating a radar upgrade, while US F-35s lack their advanced systems - This gives China a strategic advantage in deploying cutting-edge phased array radar systems across its armed forces at a pace unmatched by the US - The issue highlights the cascading effect of supply chain failures on defense readiness. ![Screenshot at 00:00: Host Kevin Walmsley standing outdoors in Kunming, China, introducing the topic of 'Inside China Business'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/yfat53Oe_Js/00-00-00.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:09: A graphic displaying the periodic table entry for Gallium \(Ga\), highlighting its atomic number \(31\) and name, illustrating the specific critical metal being discussed.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/yfat53Oe_Js/00-00-09.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:54: A table from the USGS showing World Low-Purity Production and Production Capacity for Gallium, detailing China's 2024 production at 839,000 kg.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/yfat53Oe_Js/00-00-54.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:31: A news article headline stating 'Reports Suggest F-35s Are Being Delivered Without Radar Amid APG-85 Delays', accompanied by an image of an F-35 fighter jet.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/yfat53Oe_Js/00-01-31.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:32: A visual comparison showing an F-35 nose equipped with a compensatory weight \(left\) instead of the AN/APG-85 radar \(right\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/yfat53Oe_Js/00-00-32.jpg)