China is rapidly advancing its air superiority capabilities. Unveiled at the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show, the J-35A, derived from the FC-31, is a twin-engine, multi-role stealth fighter designed for the PLAAF, with a carrier-based variant for the PLAN. Its stealth features, including radar-absorbing materials and internal weapons bays, mirror the F-35, but its affordability allows China to potentially deploy a larger fleet, challenging U.S.
China’s new J-35 stealth fighter has a message for the U.S. Air Force: China is rapidly advancing its air superiority capabilities. Unveiled at the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show, the J-35A, derived from the FC-31, is a twin-engine, multi-role stealth fighter designed for the PLAAF, with a carrier-based variant for the PLAN. Its stealth features, including radar-absorbing materials and internal weapons bays, mirror the F-35, but its affordability allows China to potentially deploy a larger fleet, challenging U.S. dominance in the Indo-Pacific. The J-35’s cost-effectiveness and scalability signal a strategic shift in military aviation.
China’s new J-35 stealth fighter has a message for the U.S. Air Force: its network-centric warfare capabilities reshape regional dynamics. Operating as a “kill chain coordinator,” the J-35A enhances China’s air defense by detecting stealth threats like the F-22 and F-35 and guiding munitions. The carrier-based J-35, expected on the Type 003 Fujian carrier by July 2025, strengthens China’s naval projection. Potentially 40% cheaper than U.S. counterparts, it counters the U.S. Air Force’s costly NGAD program. Through “gray zone” tactics in Taiwan’s airspace, China aims to deter U.S. intervention in the South China Sea.
China’s new J-35 stealth fighter has a message for the U.S. Air Force: its global influence is expanding. Paired with the J-20, the J-35 forms a versatile “hi-lo” mix, boosting China’s air combat flexibility. Pakistan’s reported order of 41 J-35As highlights its export potential, challenging U.S. market dominance. Despite trailing the F-35 in avionics, China’s progress in drones and sixth-generation fighters underscores the need for U.S. innovation to maintain air superiority.
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