Russia could give fresh momentum to its next-generation long-range aviation program, known as PAK DA, if it chose to pursue a joint strategic bomber project with China. This idea was outlined by analyst Brent Eastwood in an article for the U.S. outlet 19FortyFive.

According to Eastwood, Moscow and Beijing are currently moving along parallel tracks, each working on a stealth bomber of the next generation. China is developing the H-20, while Russia is focused on the PAK DA. Both efforts, however, are burdened by serious technical and organizational challenges. Among the most acute problems he highlights are difficulties with engine development, avionics, and radar-absorbing materials, as well as repeated delays in meeting planned timelines. In Russia’s case, these obstacles are compounded by supply-chain constraints resulting from sanctions pressure.

Against this backdrop, Eastwood suggests that pooling resources could, at least in theory, offer a way forward. A combined effort might allow the two countries to create a single strategic aircraft rather than pushing two struggling programs separately. He points out that Russia and China, as major industrial powers, share overlapping strategic interests, which could form a conceptual basis for such cooperation.

At the same time, the analyst underscores significant barriers that make this scenario far from straightforward. Differences in language, management culture, and decision-making processes would complicate any joint work. More importantly, both Moscow and Beijing remain reluctant to share sensitive technologies, a factor that severely limits the depth of possible collaboration.

In Eastwood’s assessment, the sheer complexity of designing an entirely new stealth bomber remains a formidable challenge. Even under conditions of close cooperation between allies and strong personal ties between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, he argues, such a project would be extraordinarily difficult to realize.