Key Points – China’s J-35A stealth fighter, an F-35 equivalent developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, appears to be edging closer to serial production, with new images of an unpainted prototype fueling speculation it has entered its final pre-deployment stage.
-Evolved from the export-focused FC-31 Gyrfalcon prototype, the J-35A is a multi-role combat aircraft featuring internal weapons bays and advanced avionics.
-While primarily intended for China’s military—operating as a networked asset alongside other systems—it is already attracting foreign interest, with Pakistan reportedly seeking up to 40 units.
-This progress signals China’s growing ambition to lead, not just copy, in military aviation.
J-35: China’s F-35 ‘Equivalent’ Closer to Production
China’s J-35A stealth fighter is edging closer to serial production, with new images of an unpainted airframe fueling speculation that the aircraft has entered its final pre-deployment stage.
While Beijing has offered no official confirmation, recent eyewitness accounts and public displays hint at the jet’s evolution into part of China’s expanding air force.
It Wasn’t Always Taken Seriously
The J-35A was developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, and functions as the landed variant of the FC-31 Gyrfalcon.
The initial prototype was geared toward exports, but was not taken seriously by global buyers when it was first marketed in 2014.
That has since changed. With structural overhauls, fresh interest from the PLA, and a public debut at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, the J-35A now carries official markings and appears poised to enter operational service.
Though China has released no official specifications, analysts believe the aircraft includes internal weapons bays, radar-reducing features, and advanced avionics such as an AESA radar and electro-optical targeting systems.
The airframe uses diverterless supersonic intakes and a trapezoidal wing design—features common to modern stealth jets. Its engines have so far included the WS-13E, though later versions may adopt the more powerful WS-19.
Beyond ‘Dogfighting’
Chinese officials have hinted at a broader role for the J-35A than simple dogfighting. It is expected to operate as a node in a wider network, coordinating with ground-based missile systems and other aircraft. This reflects a shift toward systems-based warfare, similar to the strategy behind the American F-35’s role in NATO forces.
Naturally, this aircraft is frequently compared to the F-35 in terms of appearance, prompting many to speculate cyber espionage on the part of China. U.S. officials have raised concerns in the past, though Chinese and Russian sources continue to frame the aircraft as a homegrown achievement built from the ground up and not simply copied from their rivals.
Global Buyers Look Toward Beijing
While it’s primarily intended for China’s military, the J-35A is already attracting attention abroad.
Pakistan is reportedly seeking up to 40 units, and training programs for Pakistani pilots may already be underway. An export version, the J-35E, is rumored to be in development, though no official deals have been signed. Egypt has also been linked to early talks.
Whether the J-35A can match the performance and versatility of the F-35 remains to be seen. But its development sends a clear message: China is no longer content to play catch-up in the air. It wants to lead.
And it’s getting closer.
About the Author:
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
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