Indian Media: China's J-35 Stealth Fighter: Impact on India's Naval Strategy!
On August 14, Indian media website "India Today" reported that the development and deployment of China's new carrier-based stealth fighter, the J-35, marks a significant change in regional naval power dynamics, posing a direct challenge to India.
The J-35 is seen as China's response to the U.S. F-35, while also demonstrating Beijing's determination to win modern wars.
The J-35 is a twin-engine multi-role stealth fighter developed from the FC-31, specifically designed for the Chinese Navy (PLAN), and is China's first true fifth-generation carrier-based aircraft. It has completed test flights on the Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carriers and is planned to be deployed on the larger and more advanced Fujian aircraft carrier. The Fujian is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system, which allows it to launch heavier fighters, enhancing the navy's long-range combat capabilities.
Combat Capabilities: Speed can reach Mach 1.8, equipped with PL-15/PL-21 long-range air-to-air missiles and CJ-10 air-to-ground weapons. Advanced stealth, sensor fusion, and communication systems enhance survivability and striking power.
Strategic Impact on India: China plans to operate six aircraft carriers by 2035, each of which will be equipped with the J-35. China's aircraft carrier battle groups are expected to be deployed in the Indian Ocean in 2025-26, forming an extended A2/AD (Anti-Access/Area Denial) capability.
India's current INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant aircraft carriers still use MiG-29K aircraft, technologically lagging behind the J-35; although the Rafale M and future TEDBF project can supplement, there are still issues with time and quantity.
Regional and Export Dynamics: The J-31 (similar to the J-35) has been exported to Pakistan, and there are potential buyers such as Saudi Arabia. Pakistan's procurement of the J-35 will intensify the aerial threat to India on both its eastern and western fronts.
Main Threats of the J-35 to the Indian Navy: Strong stealth capabilities make it difficult for radar to detect, increasing the risk of surprise attacks. Advanced sensors and weapon systems allow for long-range identification, tracking, and targeting of objectives. Strong carrier capabilities enable the J-35 to conduct A2/AD missions in the Indian Ocean, challenging India's freedom of maritime movement.
Impact on Strategic Balance: India lacks a fifth-generation stealth carrier-based aircraft, and the MiG-29K and Rafale M cannot match the J-35.
Two-front Threat: If Pakistan is equipped with the J-35, India will face a stealth threat on both its eastern and western fronts. The J-35's Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) capabilities can weaken India's air defense system.
In conclusion, the Indian media believes that the commissioning of the J-35 will change the power projection and air superiority landscape in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region. India needs to accelerate the development of its aircraft carrier aviation forces, promote indigenous fighter aircraft development, and adjust its naval strategy to cope with the rapid development and technological advantages of the Chinese Navy.
Additionally, the Indian media believes that China's dual-carrier long-range combat capabilities and CATOBAR technology are rapidly weakening the past advantages of India and regional navies.
India and the Indo-Pacific region must reassess their naval strategies, accelerate technological upgrades, and strengthen regional cooperation to counter China's oceanic deployment capabilities in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
For the United States and its allies, the growth of China's oceanic capabilities means new challenges in maintaining key logistics hubs (such as Guam and Hawaii) and the freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840438140200008/
Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author.