Key Points and Summary – New photos and a suspiciously casual TV reveal confirm that China’s J-35 stealth fighter has entered initial production and is likely in active service with its navy.
-The new images show two jets flying in formation with naval insignia, signaling they are ready for carrier operations.
-The J-35 is China’s direct answer to the American F-35 and is expected to be the main fighter on its advanced new aircraft carrier, the Fujian.
-The reveal comes amid a bizarre episode where Chinese state media heavily promoted a J-35 sale to Pakistan that Pakistan’s own defense minister then denied.
The J-35 Fighter’s Message: Ready to Take on the F-35
There has been a lot kept secret about China’s J-35 fighter jet, but new images have emerged of the jet, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
Photos have emerged online of two of the fighter jets flying in formation. And SCMP cited former People’s Liberation Army instructor Song Zhongping as describing the jets.
“Unlike previously circulated ground-based photos, the latest images appear to be air-to-air studies in tight formation. Their clearly visible identification marks suggest the fifth-generation fighter jets have entered initial production,” SCMP said, citing Song.
The jets contain “Chinese navy” markings, as well as the “Flying Shark” insignia.
“The Flying Shark insignia confirms the J-35 has joined the Navy’s carrier aviation force,” Song said, per SCMP. “It indicates the aircraft may have been in active service and is building combat and logistical support capabilities.”
A Suspicious Reveal
A report earlier this month from Interesting Engineering showed that state-run CCTV had “nonchalantly” revealed a look at the J-35, during a broadcast from a hangar belonging to Shenyang Aircraft Corporation.
“Though the report focused on the J-15T, military analysts were quick to note the presence of the stealthy J-35s in the background, interpreting the appearance as anything but accidental,” the report said.
Andreas Rupprecht, a prominent researcher of Chinese military aviation, stated on X that “those engineers are clearly just totally coincidentally and nonchalantly chilling in front of a J-35 during a film piece about the J-15T. Nothing to see here.”
The Main Fighter Jet?
“There are widespread expectations that the J-35 will become the main fighter jet aboard the Fujian, China’s first carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults designed to launch heavier aircraft with higher payloads,” SCMP reported. It will therefore become the first non-American carrier to feature that technology.
Last month, SCMP reported that the Fujian aircraft carrier is likely to enter service soon.
Song Zhongping, that same military commentator, had stated that the new carrier “is getting prepared to be commissioned,” following eight different sea trials.
“The aircraft carrier will [then] enter trial service to continue testing the adaptability and coordination between the carrier and aircraft or other weapon systems,” Song said at the time.
No Deal With Pakistan for J-35?
While it had been widely reported earlier this summer that China had reached a deal with Pakistan to sell them J-35A jets.
However, Pakistan’s defense minister has rejected the reports that Pakistan had agreed to purchase 40 of the fifth-generation fighter jets for delivery in 2026, per The Economic Times.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif denied the claims in a televised interview in late June.
“I think it is only in the media. It is good for sale, Chinese defence sales, you know,” Asif said.
Economic Times, however, had earlier cited defense sources claiming that Pakistan’s Air Force had approved the J-35 deal.
“About 80% of Pakistan’s military inventory comes from China. Systems such as the J-10C fighter jets and HQ-9 air defence systems were used by Pakistan during its most recent conflict with India. The addition of the J-35A was expected to further boost Pakistan’s air strength, especially with India’s AMCA fifth-generation fighter project expected only by 2035,” The Economic Times reported.
Why the confusion?
According to Wio News, there’s one possible explanation.
“The interview gives a clear indication that Chinese-state-linked media intentionally leaked or inflated the story to boost J-35’s export potential and market demand. A successful deal with Pakistan will attract other potential buyers such as Egypt or Algeria, as reported by some outlets,” the report said.
“This was China’s move to challenge Western dominance. However, China’s Ministry of Defence and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation have remained silent on the J-35A rumours, neither confirming nor denying Pakistan’s alleged interest.”
About the Author: Stephen Silver
Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review, and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has authored thousands of articles that focus on politics, national security, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter.
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