Saudi Arabia Rejects J-35, Looks Beyond China DEFENSE NEWS TODAY

Saudi Arabian media outlets reveal that Saudi Arabia has rejected an offer to purchase China’s J-35 stealth fighter, a step that could impact Beijing’s efforts to penetrate the Middle Eastern arms market, which it shares with other vendors.

The rejection, as a recent India.com article reported, is a message from Riyadh that its intention is to collaborate with defence partners in the West, where it is making overtures by negotiating with Britain, Italy, and Japan for a sixth generation of fighter planes.

Neither Saudi nor Chinese authorities have responded to the report, leaving speculation unresolved. The report, if confirmed, is viewed as challenging China’s ambition to become a leading arms supplier in the Gulf and Saudi Arabia’s long-term military procurement strategy.

The story is unfolding against shifting geopolitical realities and a competitive global aerospace landscape, where fifth-generation fighter aircraft are a central component of national security and global affairs.

A recent India.com report links Saudi Arabia’s J-35 rejection to Xi Jinping’s failure to sway Gulf allies. The article quotes unnamed experts who claim Beijing saw the J-35 as a way to challenge American arms dominance.

J-35 in IDEX Abu Dhabi

China promoted the J-35, a stealth jet by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, at major shows like IDEX in Abu Dhabi. Officials described it as China’s answer to the F-35—cheaper, stealthy, and made for export.

Saudi Arabia’s vast defence budget and strategic location made it an ideal customer for the jet. Still, Riyadh has been cautious when it comes to major Chinese weapons systems, especially advanced fighter jets.

While Saudi Arabia has bought Chinese drones and joined exercises, it hasn’t committed to core platforms like fighter aircraft. Instead, the kingdom sticks mostly with Western suppliers, including F-15s and Eurofighter Typhoons from the U.S. and Europe.

India.com also noted Saudi discussions at the G20 with the UK, Italy, and Japan over the GCAP fighter program. Reports indicate that these discussions have advanced, demonstrating a preference for cutting-edge technology from trusted allies over an unproven Chinese jet.

To understand this move better, it helps to examine what the J-35 offers. The J-35A is China’s second stealth fighter after the J-20 and is designed for export markets.
Unveiled in late 2024, the J-35 is a twin-engine jet for missions like air superiority and ground strikes. It features stealth shaping, modern avionics, and a radar signature meant to avoid detection by enemy systems.

Chinese media claims it matches the F-35 in performance, but independent testing hasn’t confirmed that yet. The jet only recently entered initial deployment, so its combat credibility remains unproven.

J-35: Turkey’s KAAN fighter

Its engines—either WS-15 or WS-10C—are powerful but not proven as reliable as Western Pratt & Whitney engines. The J-35 carries both air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, including the long-range PL-15 missile.

It uses active electronically scanned radar and infrared tracking for better situational awareness in combat. At an estimated $70 million per unit, it’s significantly cheaper than the F-35’s $100 million-plus price tag. However, without real combat data and wider political trust, the J-35’s export appeal remains limited.

Pakistan is the only confirmed foreign buyer of the J-35, ordering 40 jets for delivery in two years. Defence Security Asia reports that economic concerns and pressure from China may have influenced Pakistan’s decision.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has several options among its advanced fifth- and sixth-generation fighter programs. The U.S. F-35 remains Riyadh’s top choice, but Washington refuses to sell it widely in the Middle East.

Currently, Israel is the only regional operator of the F-35, keeping its technological edge intact. Turkey’s KAAN fighter, built with BAE Systems’ support, has reportedly sparked Saudi interest in a 100-unit deal.

Local Turkish media say Riyadh is actively exploring KAAN as part of its modernisation strategy. Though not directly tied to China, GCAP offers a sixth-generation fighter with AI, lasers, and stealth features.

J-35: GCAP and NGAD

The J-35 lacks these future-focused technologies and may fall behind next-gen jets like GCAP and NGAD. NGAD is designed for U.S. use only, costing $250 million each, reflecting its cutting-edge capabilities.

These comparisons help place the J-35 in context within the global fighter aircraft market. The F-35 entered service in 2015 and has years of testing, updates, and a global support network.
Despite its high upkeep, many allies trust the F-35’s combat readiness and proven performance.

The KAAN, while it is less advanced than the F-35, provides Saudi Arabia with opportunities for co-production and greater industrial involvement. GCAP and NGAD will enter service in the mid-2030s, far ahead of China’s J-35 roadmap.

The J-35, nearing deployment with the Chinese Navy, offers a short-term fifth-generation option for Beijing’s partners. However, its lack of battle testing and Chinese supply chains may deter NATO-aligned or GCC countries.

Saudi Arabia’s recent defence choices reflect a shift back toward Western partnerships and systems. Riyadh once explored Russian jets and S-400s, but its base remains firmly rooted in Western defence circles.

India.com reports Saudi Arabia’s J-35 rejection may discourage other Middle Eastern countries from pursuing Chinese options. This move contrasts with earlier talks, including a 2024 Chinese pitch at the Saudi World Defence Show.

Dr James Dorsey

Back then, China aimed to attract Gulf buyers by showcasing futuristic displays and promoting the potential for major investments. The South China Morning Post noted that Beijing sought to capture Gulf interest in high-tech fighter deals.

Analysts disagree on the issue. “Saudi Arabia’s military ties with China are genuine but limited,” Middle East security expert Dr James Dorsey said in an interview with Al Jazeera recently. “They’re a hedge against excessive reliance on the U.S., but not a complete pivot. The J-35 may be appealing on cost, but Riyadh wants proven systems and long-term relationships.”

At the same time, an anonymous Chinese aerospace official denied that “the J-35’s rejection is premature to judge—Middle Eastern interest is strong, and Pakistan’s deal shows its viability.” These claims highlight the ambiguity surrounding Saudi Arabia’s most recent position, as no official statement has clarified its stance.

The broader dynamics of arms in the Middle East are complicated. U.S. restrictions on F-35 exports have rebuffed the United Arab Emirates, another Gulf giant, in its quest for fifth-generation fighters. The restriction has created interest in alternatives like France’s Rafale and South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae, a 4.5-generation fighter also offered to Saudi Arabia.

Conclusion

China’s entry into this market coincides with its expanding economic presence in the region, as evidenced by Saudi Arabia’s addition to the BRICS grouping last year. Military hardware, however, entails other dangers—reliability, training, and compatibility with existing forces receive heavy consideration in procurement.

For the United States, Saudi Arabia’s reported refusal of the J-35 emphasises its position as the Gulf’s leading arms provider, F-35 access tensions aside. The GCAP discussions, if agreed upon by year’s end, as India.com foresees, could further entrench this alignment, providing Riyadh with a stake in a cutting-edge project.

For China, the outcome analyses if it can convert economic power into military power, which it has not been able to do yet except in Pakistan. According to Jane’s Defence Weekly analyst Sarah Carter, the Middle East presents significant challenges for new players.

Trust and track records hold greater significance than price tags. As the narrative progresses, the failure to make a formal announcement is open to alternative interpretations. Saudi Arabia could still be weighing up the J-35 against its competitors, or the india.com report could be the product of rumour because of local competition, given India’s own rivalries with China.

What is still certain are the high stakes involved—technologically, economically, and geopolitically. The future of the J-35 in the Gulf and subsequent Saudi actions will set the air power balance in the region for the next few years, with implications far beyond the Middle East.