BEIJING, China – China’s air force is set to unveil its new J-35A stealth fighter jet next week at the Zhuhai Air Show, providing the first public look at a cutting-edge aircraft expected to bolster the nation’s growing military prowess.
Officials announced the debut of the jet during an air force press conference on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, with the event poised to underscore China’s military modernization efforts and its push to rival the United States’ advanced stealth fighter capabilities.
The J-35A, which is designed primarily for air combat but can also execute air-to-surface attacks, represents a significant advancement in China’s military technology.
The new stealth fighter follows the J-20, which entered service in 2017, and could place China as the only other nation, after the U.S., to operate two types of stealth jets if the J-35A enters active duty.
According to Chinese state media, the J-35A is expected to form part of a series and may eventually be deployed on China’s aircraft carriers, enhancing the nation’s sea and air combat capabilities.
“This would greatly improve the overall strength of China’s sea and air combat,” Chinese military analyst Li Li told state broadcaster CCTV.
Stealth fighters are designed to evade radar and other detection systems, providing a tactical advantage for missions that require stealth and surprise.
While the J-35A’s exact specifications remain under wraps, its design reportedly incorporates more powerful engines than earlier prototypes, a feature aimed at extending its reach and combat capacity.
Carl Schuster, a former director of operations at the U.S. Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, noted that the jet may be ready for production by early next year, following its maiden flight in 2021.
The J-35A’s debut comes amid reports of China’s increased deployment of its existing stealth fighters, with Janes, a global intelligence firm, highlighting a surge in the PLA Air Force’s fleet of J-20s.
Between mid-2023 and mid-2024, the PLA reportedly added over 70 J-20s, bringing the total operational count to approximately 195.
The Zhuhai Air Show, scheduled from November 12 to 17, will feature additional Chinese military advancements, including the H-19 surface-to-air missile system and newly developed reconnaissance and strike drones.
Russian equipment will also make an appearance, with Russia’s Su-57 stealth fighter set to be showcased, along with displays from 49 other countries and regions.
China’s rapid development of stealth technology has sparked controversy over accusations of intellectual property theft, which Beijing has denied.
These allegations resurfaced after reports from German magazine Der Spiegel in 2015, based on leaked U.S. National Security Agency documents, suggested that critical stealth technology may have been stolen.
As China unveils the J-35A, analysts and military experts are eager to see how the new stealth jet measures up to its U.S. counterparts, the F-22 and F-35.
While technical comparisons remain speculative, the addition of a second stealth fighter represents another step in China’s efforts to expand its influence in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
