The entry of the J-35, China's fifth-generation stealth fighter, into service marks a major breakthrough for China's aviation industry and its power projection capabilities. According to unverified reports circulating on X platform, China has begun delivering two variants of the J-35: the land-based J-35A designed for the People's Liberation Army Air Force and the carrier-based J-35 tailored for naval aircraft carrier operations. This milestone makes China the second country in the world to simultaneously deploy two types of stealth fighters while also possessing a stealth carrier-based aircraft, not only accelerating its numerical catch-up with the United States but also showcasing its potential to reshape the global strategic landscape in terms of stealth performance and export potential.
The J-35 originates from the FC-31 demonstrator that first flew over a decade ago. After significant improvements, it has become a multirole stealth fighter platform. The land-based J-35A adopts a single front-wheel design and optimized wings, balancing maneuverability and short-field takeoff and landing capabilities, making it suitable for diverse combat environments ranging from the East China Sea to the Himalayas. Its carrier-based variant features folding wings, launch bars, and tailhooks, compatible with China's Type 003 aircraft carrier "Fujian," significantly enhancing the navy's long-range operational capabilities.
The stealth performance of the J-35 is considered among the best in current stealth fighters. It employs radar-absorbing materials, internal weapon bays, and low-observable body design, combined with active phased array radars and advanced datalinks, enabling coordinated operations with early warning aircraft and drones to build a formidable air combat system. In terms of propulsion, the J-35 may be equipped with the WS-13E or more advanced WS-19 turbofan engines, reflecting progress in China's indigenous engine sector. If the WS-19 is successfully applied, it will make the J-35's performance surpass that of the U.S. F-35 comprehensively, giving China a clear advantage in quality of stealth fighters.
Compared to China's first stealth fighter, the J-20, the J-35 is more agile and fills the gap in a multirole tactical platform. While the J-20 focuses on air superiority, the land-based and carrier-based variants of the J-35 cover air superiority, ground attack, and electronic warfare, similar to the multifunctionality of the U.S. F-35. This not only strengthens China's force projection capabilities in disputed regions such as the South China Sea and East China Sea but also provides a powerful countermeasure against the U.S. Navy's F-35C for its carrier fleets.
The entry of the J-35 into service could reshape the military balance in the Indo-Pacific region. China's aircraft carrier program, represented by the "Fujian," is advancing toward the second island chain, threatening U.S. military advantages at key nodes like Guam. The deployment of carrier-based J-35s will enable the Chinese naval aviation corps to possess stealth combat capability for the first time, challenging the U.S.'s aerial dominance in the Pacific. Moreover, the flexibility of the J-35A allows it to support China's frequent military operations in Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone or the South China Sea, combining stealth and firepower to significantly enhance deterrence.
More importantly, the J-35 has tremendous export potential. The FC-31 was once positioned as an export fighter, although it did not initially secure orders, the mature design and high performance of the J-35 make it a strong competitor in the global arms market. For example, if Pakistan procures the J-35, it might exert technical pressure on India's Su-30 and Rafale, changing the air combat landscape in South Asia. Other countries seeking to counter the F-35, such as potential buyers in the Middle East or Africa, may also obtain cost-effective stealth fighter options through the J-35, undermining Western arms sales monopolies.
The entry of the J-35 into service is a historic moment for China's aviation industry and military modernization, marking its transformation from a technology follower to a global military power. Its stealth performance, multirole design, and export potential may trigger strategic chain reactions in the Indo-Pacific region and even globally. The J-35 is a game-changing ace and a move in geopolitical chess, and its impact can no longer be ignored.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7514139351035740672/
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