Key Points and Summary – Carefully managed reveals from China strongly suggest its carrier-capable J-35 stealth fighter has entered low-rate initial production and may already be in service with the PLAN, making it a challenger to the F-22 and F-35 in a possible future conflict.
-The “accidental” appearance of multiple J-35s in a state-run CCTV broadcast, followed by official-looking photos of jets with production-style tail numbers and naval aviator markings, points to a deliberate messaging campaign.
-While the possibility of a sophisticated disinformation effort cannot be entirely dismissed, the growing body of evidence, including a massive new production facility, indicates that China’s F-35 competitor is on a steady path to full operational capability.
Are J-35s In Production, Or Is China Spinning a Tale?
After China’s newest carrier-capable stealth fighter was unveiled to the public for the first time in a state-run CCTV broadcast, new photos shared online suggest that the Shenyang J-35 has entered limited series production.
Reports even suggest that the next-generation stealth aircraft could already be in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
The new photographs shared on Chinese social media are the clearest indication yet that China is in the final stages of fielding the new aircraft. The images show two stealth jets flying in close formation, with visible tail numbers 0011 and 0012.
Experts say that the images, which appear to be part of an official air-to-air photo release by the PLAN, depict the aircraft with numbers consistent with low-rate initial production (LRIP) aircraft. It suggests that the J-35 may have officially transitioned from prototype to production phase.
While it remains unclear which aircraft carriers the J-35s have been deployed to, the photos provide another telling clue: both pilots are seen wearing bright blue helmets, a color standard for Chinese naval aviators.
Combined with the jets’ shark nose markings, identical to those used on the PLAN’s J-15B fighters, the details strongly imply that the stealth aircraft are already integrated into the Chinese Navy’s carrier wing in some capacity.
The J-35 was also photographed flying in formation with a J-15B, China’s fourth-plus generation naval fighter currently in service. The pairing indicates the stealth jet is already operating alongside active-duty aircraft and could even be participating in early operational testing or limited patrol duties.
If confirmed, it would mark a significant milestone in the development of China’s next-generation carrier aviation capabilities.
Is China Ready to Expand?
A massive new facility in the Shenbei New District, built by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, will support the production and deployment of China’s latest stealth aircraft. Spanning an estimated 270,000 square meters, the site is reportedly capable of producing up to 100 J-35s annually.
Western analysts say this level of production capacity reflects China’s strategic ambition to rapidly expand its stealth fleet and challenge U.S. naval air dominance in the Indo-Pacific.
The development comes at a time when the United States is reinforcing its own regional presence, including the recent deployment of new F-15EX Eagle II fighters to Kadena Air Base in Japan for the first time. The jets arrived as part of the large-scale “Resolute Force Pacific 2025” exercise.
Still, some analysts have argued that the new photos could be part of a deliberate disinformation campaign. While the tail numbers suggest LRIP status, it remains technically possible that they were applied to existing prototypes for propaganda purposes.
Previous photos of the J-35 have also shown the jet in prototype form, and Chinese state media has a history of tightly controlling the narrative around its most advanced military programs.
Given the recent and unexpected appearance of a J-35 in the background of a CCTV broadcast, which sparked speculation that the aircraft was intentionally revealed to the public, the disinformation hypothesis should not be dismissed.
Still, the level of visual detail in this latest release – combined with the context of the jets’ flight and markings – suggests the J-35 is moving steadily toward full operational capability with the PLAN.
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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