Key Points and Summary – China’s second fifth-generation stealth fighter, the J-35, has reportedly entered active duty, giving Beijing another advanced option to challenge the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific.
-Evolved from the FC-31 and resembling the American F-35, the J-35 is a medium-sized multi-role fighter designed to complement the larger J-20.
-The J-35’s lower potential cost could allow China to produce it in great numbers, aiming for “stealth superiority.”
-Its deployment enables new “gray zone” tactics against Taiwan and solidifies China’s status as a top-tier power in stealth aircraft technology, second only to the United States.
The J-35 has a one simple mission: to take on the best stealth fighters America can send to the Indo-Pacific.
China’s J-35 Warplane Gives Xi Jinping’s Military Another Stealth Option
China has an answer for the F-35 Lightning II. It’s called the J-35, and this warbird is stealthy and modern.
After finally entering active duty with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the J-35 is designed to dominate neighbors in the Indo-Pacific and deter the United States.
The South China Morning Post recently displayed images of two J-35s flying next to each other. This is new evidence that the J-35 is ready for action.
The J-35 is the PLAAF’s second fifth-generation warplane and is meant to help China challenge the Americans in the region. Like the J-20 Mighty Dragon, the J-35 has strategic, operational, and tactical value.
Yet Another Way China Has Leapt Ahead of Regional Rivals
The PLAAF has staked a strategic claim in the region with the J-35. The force will not back down to the Americans, the Japanese, or the South Koreans, and with the J-35 and J-20, the PLAAF has a huge advantage over smaller rivals in the region, such as the Philippines.
It also has an edge over other countries that invest more in defense, such as Australia.
Future Proliferation on Countrywide Air Bases and Aircraft Carriers
The J-35 will eventually be assigned to squadrons throughout the country. From bases along China’s east coast, it will be able to quickly reach potential battlespaces over Taiwan, and it could fly as far as Japan and South Korea – perhaps even Guam with aerial refueling.
J-35 Features Mightily in ‘Gray Zone Tactics’
Tactically, the J-35 can engage in “gray zone” techniques. This means flying in Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone, rehearsing mass attacks by escorting bombers, and patrolling in war formations to intimidate adversaries.
The jet’s introduction into service sends a message to the world that China is ready to carry out a complex aerial battle plan, and it alerts U.S. intelligence analysts to the reality that the PLAAF has a world-class force of stealth fighters.
Quick History of the New Stealth Fighter
The J-35 made its initial appearance at the Zhuhai air show in November 2024. Military aviation enthusiasts immediately noted its sleek lines and impressive appearance. It resembles the F-35, and indeed no one should be surprised that the Chinese strive to match U.S. design elements even as they chase its stealth capabilities.
The J-35 evolved from the FC-31 Gyrfalcon, which appeared in 2012 and was also known as the F-60 or J-21. The Shenyang Aircraft Corporation took a substantial leap with the FC-31 and thought they could export it someday. There wasn’t a sizable influence from the PLAAF on the FC-31’s design.
Since the FC-31 was smaller than the Chengdu J-20, it seemed like an option meant for duty aboard aircraft carriers. While it resembled the F-35, the FC-31 had two engines.
The FC-31 flew at Zhuhai in 2014 and was displayed in Dubai in 2015. The airplane may have added an infrared search and track feature around that time.
In the following years, observers began referring to the aircraft as the J-35, since it was seen as a rehash of the F-35. The name stuck throughout the rest of the 2010s and into the 2020s.
What’s the Difference Between the J-35 and J-20?
“The J-35A has a different design than China’s first stealth fighter jet, the J-20. The J-20, with a canard wing configuration, is a heavy fighter jet with a focus on air superiority missions comparable with the U.S.’ F-22, while the medium-sized J-35A uses a tailplane wing configuration similar with the U.S.’ F-35 that also has strong surface attack capabilities,” The Global Times wrote.
Here’s where the story is complicated by the program’s secretive nature. There are most likely two versions of the plane: a J-35A would be the land-based unit used by the PLAAF, while a J-35B could be destined for the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN’s) carriers.
The J-35 May Be a Bargain
Another important aspect of the J-35 program is cost. The J-35 might be cheaper than the J-20, meaning it could be produced faster and enter service in great numbers. The Chinese have between 200 to 250 J-20s. If the PLAAF and PLAN had twice that many J-35s, this could usher in a new era of Chinese stealth superiority, greatly increasing its power in the Indo-Pacific.
As is typical, the Chinese media has overhyped the J-35. Beijing-based journalists tout the plane as a super weapon that can do it all – establish air superiority over the F-35 and F-22, strike down cruise missiles, strike at sea to destroy enemy ships, and maybe even carry hypersonic missiles.
The J-35 probably does not have all of those abilities, but China is happy to deploy another stealth fighter. Such platforms create new strategic options and enhance operational and tactical possibilities for Xi Jinping’s military.
We have much to learn about the J-35. Most of what we know is in China’s media organs, which overhype it. But this is a warbird to keep top of mind – U.S. intelligence analysts and battle planners certainly will be mulling the implications of China having two stealth fighters.
It is frustrating that China continues to copy the United States and matches American capabilities with ease. Then they portray their new platforms as super weapons, even when they have no combat record. Still, the Chinese should be considered a leader in stealth flight – only the United States has established a stronger capability.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
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