The ongoing 2024 Zhuhai Air Show, China’s premier aerospace exhibition, has become the stage for showcasing the nation’s growing military capabilities, with the debut of the J-35A stealth fighter drawing particular attention. The aircraft, which shares similarities with the USF-35, is set to become a cornerstone of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
The J-35A’s appearance at the biennial event in Zhuhai, southern China, signalled its imminent entry into operational service. This marks a significant development for China, which, alongside the United States, will now operate two fifth-generation stealth fighter types—making it the second country to do so. The J-35A, developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, is positioned as a lighter, more affordable counterpart to China’s flagship J-20, designed for air superiority missions with a secondary strike role. It also bears a close resemblance in its structural design to the American F-35.
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Unlike the larger, long-range J-20, the J-35A is designed to be more cost-effective, offering a solution for both the PLAAF and potentially the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The aircraft’s versatility makes it a valuable asset, potentially aiding the navy’s growing carrier fleet, including the Fujian aircraft carrier, which is poised to join China’s naval forces soon.
Experts suggest that the J-35A’s introduction may accelerate China’s fifth-generation fighter procurement, expanding the fleet of J-20s while ensuring the country’s continued dominance in air warfare. Analysts expect an export version, likely designated the J-35AE, to target international buyers, especially nations looking for advanced stealth fighters without the high costs associated with US models.
Despite being in the early stages of deployment, the J-35A’s role in enhancing the PLAAF’s operational capacity in contested environments, particularly over regional flashpoints like Taiwan, is expected to be significant.
Alongside the J-35A, the air show also featured other cutting-edge technologies, including the HQ-19 anti-ballistic missile system and a range of unmanned combat vehicles. However, it is the J-35A’s promising future in both domestic and export markets that remains one of the standout developments of the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show, cementing China’s place as a rising power in advanced military aviation.
