Key Points and Summary on J-35 – China has intentionally revealed its new J-35 carrier-capable stealth fighter to the public for the first time in a state-run CCTV broadcast.
-The jet was seen in a hangar during a segment focused on the new J-15T fighter, but its prominent placement suggests a deliberate signal from Beijing.
-This reveal follows recent images indicating that the land-based J-35A variant has already entered operational service.
-The rapid development and now public showcasing of its second fifth-generation fighter demonstrates China’s quickly advancing military aviation capabilities and its ambition to project naval power.
That’s No Accident: China Reveals Latest Fighters In TV Broadcast
China’s next-generation J-35 stealth fighters were publicly revealed during a broadcast by the state-run CCTV network.
Two of the next-generation fighter jets could be seen in a hangar owned by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation during a broadcast that offered a look at the country’s aircraft production facilities.
Meet the J-15T
The broadcast focused primarily on the J-15T, a modernized 4.5-generation fighter jet designed to be launched by a catapult.
Still, it ultimately gave the world a broader look at China’s extensive and fast-paced next-generation military aircraft development.
Li Guoen, a test pilot for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), offered a look at the new plane, describing “very thick” landing gear that is in the process of being made “slimmer and lighter” in the future.
The J-15T is an upgraded version of China’s J-15 “Flying Shark,” a twin-engine, multirole fighter aircraft introduced in 2013. The J-15T features improved landing gear, as noted by Guoen, as well as a catapult-compatible tow bar. The additions mean the plane is equipped for catapult takeoff (CATOBAR), a launch system that is designed to allow planes to take off from shorter aircraft carrier runways.
In November 2024, the single-seat J-15T was unveiled during the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition. The plane had been in development for some time, with the first prototype reportedly rolling out of the factory in July 2016.
The plane’s upgrades mean it can be deployed with China’s newest Fujian aircraft carrier.
J-35s Revealed On Purpose?
Analysts were quick to note that, during the CCTV broadcast, China’s J-35 aircraft stole the show. While the focus was on the J-15T, the J-35 was featured prominently throughout the film.
It is unlikely that the planes were included by accident, especially given the recent emergence of photographs showing the new Shenyang J-35A – China’s second fifth-generation stealth fighter – flying in formation with J-20 and J-16D aircraft.
Reports suggest that the J-35A has entered operational service, making China the only country besides the United States to field two distinct types of fifth-generation fighters.
Images shared by Chinese military observers on X showed two J-35A fighters adorned with PLAAF insignia and serial numbers that suggested they were part of the 1st Air Brigade under the Northern Theatre Command.
The CCTV broadcast marked the first time the J-35 has been shown publicly in China, suggesting that the plane has officially entered mass production.
About the Author:
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society. His latest book is The Truth Teller: RFK Jr. and the Case for a Post-Partisan Presidency.
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