J-35 stealth fighter
Unverified reports on X claim China has started producing two versions of its fifth-generation J-35 stealth fighter. If true, this move would mark a major step in China’s pursuit of advanced military technology. According to these posts, one version is for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
The other is a carrier-based variant for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). These unconfirmed reports, which lack official statements, have fuelled speculation about China’s power projection ambitions. Observers particularly link these ambitions to contested maritime areas like the South China Sea.
As global attention grows, experts question the credibility and potential Indo-Pacific impact of these reports. The J-35 reportedly evolved from the FC-31 demonstrator first revealed over a decade ago. It represents China’s latest bid to rival advanced Western fighters like the U.S. F-35.
Reports suggest the PLAAF’s land-based J-35A has a single nose wheel and an optimized wing design. It is compatible with conventional runways, hinting at flexible operational use. Its multirole design could support air superiority, ground attack, and electronic warfare missions.
The carrier variant, known simply as the J-35, reportedly supports CATOBAR operations. It features folding wings, a launch bar, and a tailhook for carrier service. This version is expected to operate from China’s Type 003 aircraft carrier, Fujian.
WS-13E or the latest WS-19
Both planes are said to be powered either by the WS-13E or the latest WS-19 turbofan engines, proof of China’s attempts to create local propulsion technologies. Although these facts depict a cutting-edge fighter aircraft, the lack of official reports leaves much to speculation.
China’s pursuit of the fifth-generation fighter is not novel. The J-20, rolled out in 2017 by the PLAAF, was the country’s first operational stealth aircraft, intended to counter American air superiority aircraft like the F-22 Raptor.
The delta-winged, extended-range J-20 has also been a mainstay of Chinese aviation modernization. But the size and geometry of the J-20 suggest strategic mission interest and not the flexibility that would be beneficial to carrier operations or universal tactical deployment.
If rumors hold any credence, the J-35 would fill this role with a lightweight, multirole fighter like the American F-35, which has a mix of stealth, sensor fusion, and multirole functionality.
The FC-31, from which the J-35 borrows its lineage, first flew in 2012 as a prototype aircraft built by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation.
Originally marketed as an export fighter, the FC-31 had no customers, and rumors have circulated that China reused the design for domestic service.
The evolution from demonstrator to production plane follows the U.S. experience with the X-35, which evolved into the F-35 family, although China’s hasty schedule calls into question the sophistication of the J-35’s systems.
FC-31
Unconfirmed news suggests that China plans to operate its ground-launched J-35A from its extensive airbase system. Its single nosewheel and modified wings suggest improved maneuverability and efficiency compared to the FC-31, possibly allowing it to operate on shorter or less advanced runways.
That would extend the PLAAF’s power-projection range from the Himalayas to the East China Sea. The plane’s stealth technology, which has not been declassified, is expected to include radar-absorbent materials, internal weapons bays, and a low-observable airframe, incorporating lessons learned from the J-20 program.
If the J-35A has advanced electronics like AESA radar and connected data systems, it would work well with China’s increasing number of early warning planes and drones, making it a strong air combat system.
But with no official specs or test data, these capabilities are theoretical, based on eyewitness accounts of FC-31 test models and market speculation by such publications as Jane’s Defence Weekly.
PLAN’s carrier-based J-35 represents a more ambitious move. China’s naval force has been incrementally increasing the size of its carrier force, with Fujian, commissioned in 2024, being its first CATOBAR-capable vessel.
Electromagnetic Catapults
Unlike ski-jump carriers Liaoning and Shandong, Fujian’s electromagnetic catapults enable the launch of heavier, more advanced aircraft. The J-35 has features like folding wings, a launch bar, and a tailhook that match what is needed for carrier operations, showing it is built to handle the forces from taking off
This iteration would greatly increase the PLAN’s ability to project power beyond China’s shores deep into the Pacific, competing with American sea power in the area.
The J-35’s naval variant might offer a similar degree of versatility to the U.S. F-35C, which provides American carriers with stealth and networked warfare, though its capabilities have yet to be tested in the public domain.
The Russian Su-33 and MiG-29K, which are used by other navies as well, lack the stealth and sensor capabilities of fifth-generation fighter jets, indicating the possible advantage of a carrier-based J-35.
The choice of the J-35’s engine is most important. The WS-13E, a later development of the FC-31’s original powerplant, is more powerful than earlier Chinese engines but still lags behind Western engines like the F135 on the F-35.
Centre for Strategic and International Studies
The new WS-19 engine under production is more efficient and powerful and can potentially close the gap between the J-35 and its Western counterparts.
Previously, China’s engine development was hindered by its reliance on Russian designs, as revealed in a 2023 report by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies [CSIS].
If the J-35 is in fact so equipped with the WS-19, its inclusion would represent a breakthrough in Chinese aerospace technology, although, in all likelihood, it is unlikely in light of unverified reports.
According to experts like David Axe, who wrote in a 2024 article for The National Interest, China’s classified defense programs make it difficult to assess its technological progress, which he warned may conceal underlying technical issues.
The implications of alleged deliveries of the J-35 are vast, particularly in terms of China’s regional ambitions. The South China Sea, where China has asserted vast territorial claims, has been a cauldron of tensions with surrounding nations Vietnam and the Philippines and U.S. allies Japan and Australia.
Taiwan’s Air Defense
A land- and carrier-launchable stealth fighter would increase China’s ability to project such power and could tilt the balance in the region. In 2024, Chinese aircraft repeatedly entered Taiwan’s air defense zone, prompting responses from Taiwanese and American military forces.
A multirole J-35 would complement such missions with stealth to escape detection and firepower to strike at the enemy. Second, a carrier-based variant would project Chinese power into the Pacific to respond to U.S. naval operations in theaters like the Philippine Sea.
The Center for New American Security [CNAS] in 2024 cited that China’s carrier program is directed towards projecting power to the Second Island Chain, including Guam, a key U.S. military base.
Comparison with other fifth-generation fighters puts the J-35’s potential into context. The United States’ F-35, with more than 900 jets delivered globally by 2025, is the benchmark for stealth, sensor fusion, and interoperability.
Its variants—F-35A for air forces, F-35B for short take-off and vertical landing, and F-35C for carriers—provide a versatility that China will likely counter with the J-35.
Korea’s KAI KF-21
Russia’s Su-57, despite advanced tech, has seen delays and limited use, with under 20 jets flying by 2024. South Korea’s KAI KF-21, while not fully stealthy, demonstrates the country’s growing aerospace ambitions in the region. In contrast, China’s J-35 could surpass Russia in stealth if it reaches full production potential.
Moreover, the jet might soon rival America’s fighters, edging China closer to the U.S. in air combat capability. A 2023 article in Air & Space Forces Magazine, however, noted problems with the J-35’s transition from prototype to full production. Like the F-35’s early years, China’s jet faces teething problems with software and logistical systems.
The development of the J-35 also raises doubts over China’s export plans. Initially, China exported the FC-31 to countries such as Pakistan, which currently operates the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder.
A 2022 report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute [SIPRI] highlighted China’s rising share in global arms exports.
The report also noted that China delivered weapons to several Asian and African countries. A J-35 capable of operating from an aircraft carrier could attract nations seeking cheaper alternatives to Western or Russian carriers. However, its cost and technology could limit potential buyers in the global market.
China’s focus on meeting internal demand is evident in the lack of reported export orders for the J-35. Still, the possibility of future sales adds to the program’s importance. Observers remain skeptical about the timing and sincerity of these reports.
RAND Corporation
China’s military programs are highly secretive, and leaked information often serves strategic purposes. These leaks may signal advancements to deter rivals or boost domestic morale. A 2024 RAND Corporation report noted China’s use of controlled leaks to shape perceptions of military power.
The absence of official confirmation and the timing of leaks suggest they may be premature or exaggerated. Even if deliveries have begun, the J-35’s operational readiness remains unclear. The U.S. F-35 program, for example, took over a decade from its first flight to full operational status.
By 2024, the U.S. Government Accountability Office still reported issues with the F-35. China must still prove it can mass-produce the J-35, integrate systems, and train pilots effectively. The J-35’s deployment could reshape regional military strategies.
Japan and South Korea, both of which operate F-35s, have already upgraded their air defenses in response to China’s growing power. Taiwan, which relies on F-16s and its indigenous defenses, faces increasing pressure to modernize.
The United States, with bases in Japan, Guam, and the Philippines, can boost F-35 deployments or expand countermeasures.
A 2024 US Indo-Pacific Command statement stressed “integrated deterrence” against Chinese military growth but did not mention the J-35. India, which operates Russian Su-30s and develops AMCA stealth fighters, would also need to adjust its defense planning.
Looking ahead, the J-35 value rests on a myriad of uncertainties. Supposing production deliveries have commenced, how rapidly can China incorporate the aircraft into its military force? Will the J-35 be as adaptable as the F-35, or will it have the same issues as Russia’s Su-57?
Conclusion
The carrier variant’s success depends on Fujian’s operational maturity. China’s carrier program remains young compared to the U.S. Navy’s century of experience. Export potential is another factor, as China aims to expand its influence in global defense markets.
These uncertainties show the need for careful, measured analysis. Rushed conclusions could either overstate or downplay the J-35’s true capabilities. I believe we should treat J-35 delivery reports with caution, even though they are intriguing.
If accurate, they signal China’s faster push to close the gap with Western air power, especially at sea. Together, a land-based stealth fighter and a carrier-capable variant would boost China’s power projection capabilities. This combination could challenge the U.S. and its allies in an already tense region.
But where there is no compelling evidence, prudence is required. History has shown that new weapons platforms will be late to the field and plagued with teething problems, such as the F-35 and Su-57.
China’s intentions are clear, but its follow-through is unknown. Is the J-35 poised to revolutionize the geopolitical landscape, or is it simply the next phase? Only time, and perhaps more reliable data, will tell.
References
- Defence News Today—China’s J-35 Stealth Fighter
- The National Interest—China’s Stealth Fighter Ambitions
- Jane’s Defence Weekly – J-35 Developments
- RAND Corporation – Chinese Military Modernisation
- Air & Space Forces Magazine – China’s J-35 and U.S. F-35 Comparison
- SIPRI—China’s Role in Global Arms Trade
- US Indo-Pacific Command – Strategic Responses to China
- Aviation Week—Russia’s Su-57 Status Report
