Christchurch: China’s premier defence exhibition, Zhuhai Airshow, opened its gates this week headlined by the J-35A fifth-generation fighter as well as a J-15T fighter designed for catapult operations aboard aircraft carriers.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is a secretive organisation, but it uses events like the Zhuhai Airshow to unveil new equipment for the armed forces. This applies to the J-35A, which appeared emblazoned in PLA Air Force (PLAAF) markings.
As the J-35A joins the J-20 in Chinese service, China becomes the second nation in the world to operate two different fifth-generation, stealthy fighters. The only other country to achieve this is the US, which flies the F-22A Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
Regarding the debut of the stealthy J-35A, Rick Joe, an observer of Chinese military matters who frequently posts on Twitter, now X, said: “The J-35A being formally adopted by the PLAAF, and them confirming it, is not a complete surprise, because in the last year there has been some noise that they’ll be procuring it.”
Three J-35As have appeared to date, all with slight differences, making Joe doubtful that “they’re operational in any frontline capacity.” However, he believes the PLAAF may have received aircraft for initial operational testing and evaluation. Its current engines are WS21 turbojets, though the intended engine is the WS19.
The J-35A is derived from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s J-35, which is destined to join the PLA Navy (PLAN) as a fighter operating from Chinese aircraft carriers. Manufacturer Chengdu’s J-20 production has likely already surpassed 300 aircraft. As in previous years, the J-20 put in aerobatic performances at Zhuhai Airshow 2024.
Also at Zhuhai, state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) displayed a mockup of the twin-seat J-20S, its first public display. Its declassification indicates it is moving beyond a mere technology demonstrator. This is the world’s first twin-seat stealth fighter, where the backseat operator could control drones as part of manned-unmanned teaming.
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