J-35: China Might Have Its Very Own ‘F-35 Stealth Fighter’

Key Points – China might be beginning deliveries of its J-35 stealth fighter to both its air force (J-35A) and navy (carrier-borne J-35), a significant step in its military modernization.

-The naval J-35, a twin-engine aircraft visually similar to the US F-35C and evolved from the FC-31 prototype, features folding wings and CATOBAR capabilities for operations from China’s newest aircraft carriers like the Fujian.

-A J-35 recently completed a reported electromagnetic catapult launch from the Fujian in March 2025.

-This development enhances the PLAN’s power projection, A2/AD strategy, and ability to challenge US naval aviation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly concerning Taiwan.

J-35: China Has a Stealth Carrier-borne Fighter to Challenge U.S.

China is starting to deliver it stealth J-35 to both its air force and navy, according to unverified posts on the micro-blogging service X.

If true, this would be a significant development for the Chinese military.

It was originally theorized that the J-35 could be deployed in numbers to both the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), but there is finally some new evidence that this assertion is true.

Spotted By Eagle-Eyed Social Media Users

If the J-35 goes to the PLAN as well as the PLAAF that would be an important upgrade for the Chinese military.

The X account “Clash Report” reported on the J-35 being sent to the PLAN. Clash Report has 548 thousand followers so it is well established.

It seems to be a relatively new source that is wide-ranging with some defense coverage. However, the Chinese defense forces have not verified the sighting, and other civilian military watchers have not reported on it yet.

The Clash Report said, “J-35 [Carrier-based]: Designed for the PLA Navy, this version includes folding wings, a launch bar, and a tailhook for CATOBAR operations.” CATOBAR means the there is a catapult for launching and arresting aircraft.

Is This Comparable to the F-35C?

If the J-35s are able to fly off carriers regularly this matches the F-35C Lightning II that also is deployed on American flat-tops.

China continues to keep pace with U.S. military capabilities and with the PLAN now stealth fighter equipped, pilots have a radar-evasion quality that is desperately needed in Chinese naval aviation.

The PLAN’s J-35 will help China with their Anti-Access/ Area Denial strategy, which aims to keep the U.S. Navy from protecting sea lines of communication and maintaining the high level of freedom of navigation necessary for international trade to transit in the South China Sea.

Instrument of China’s Belligerence

China has already made territorial claims in the First Island Chain that are disputed by the international community and other countries in the region. They have militarized various islands and reefs and often tangle with the Philippines over rights to the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal. The waters around these terrain features hold ample oil and natural gas deposits. They are also rich in fishing resources.

China would be able to better protect their claims with the carrier-borne J-35. In addition, the PLAN’s J-35 could fly over the eastern side of Taiwan to help with a potential amphibious attack or to enforce a no-fly zone if China ever decides to blockade or quarantine the island.

Is the J-35 Better Than the F-35C?

The J-35 is based on the earlier built FC-31. China believes the J-35 is superior to the U.S. Navy’s F-35C. It’s open to speculation just how stealthy the J-35 is. It may not have the radar evasion capabilities like the F-35C. Plus, the Lightning II is a sophisticated “flying computer” with software that can be updated after sorties are flown.

There could be an unmanned F-35 someday and there are plans to have the Lightning II acting as a “drone quarterback” for controlling the unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) – a drone that can eventually fire missiles or conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance collection, plus bomb damage assessment. The F-35 may be able to team with up to eight CCAs someday.

Already a PLAN Test Launch from a Carrier

China’s J-35 completed a launch from the carrier Fujian in March. The flight was reportedly assisted by an EMALS electromagnetic catapult. The Fujian is China’s best carrier and more advanced than the Liaoning and Shandong. The J-35 will make the Fujian even better and able to project power around the region. Before the launch of the PLAN’s J-35, the stealth jet practiced take-offs and landings on land to simulate carrier operations. This test was a huge advancement for PLAN’s carrier force.

Before the J-35 naval version, the PLAN depended on the older and less impressive J-15. The “Flying Shark” is a non-stealth 4.5 generation airplane. The J-15 made its operational debut on a carrier in 2012.

The PLAN wants to be considered a “Blue Water” navy that sail beyond the Indo-Pacific. The PLAN could then better protect sea lanes in the Middle East for the safe transit of oil supplies that are desperately needed in China.

The carrier operations with the J-35 portends good news for China. The PLAN has a fighter that can be compared favorably with the F-35C. Naval fighter jets with stealth attributes place the PLAN in an exclusive club. It is not clear if China has a J-35 STOVL jump jet version of the airplane that could be compared to the F-35B STOVL. China could perhaps one day outfit its amphibious ships with their own stealth jump jets that would make an attack on Taiwan even more lethal.

The Chinese military continues to show that it can match American capabilities. The naval version of the J-35 will be noted by American intelligence and battle planners who continue to witness a substantial Chinese military build-up.

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.

Russia’s Bomber Forces

Tu-22M3: The Bomber Ukraine Hit With Drones

Tu-95 Bear: This Might Be Russia’s Version of the B-52