China unveils J-35A stealth fighter ahead of major airshow debut

China's air force is poised to showcase its latest stealth fighter jet, the J-35A, offering observers an exciting glimpse of this highly anticipated addition to the nation’s rapidly expanding military capabilities.

Images of the aircraft were released during an air force press conference on November 5, and it is set to make its public debut at an airshow in Zhuhai, southern China, next week, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The development of the J-35A is widely regarded as part of Beijing's strategy to compete with the United States' advanced stealth fighter capabilities, as the country seeks to modernise its armed forces and assert its military dominance in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to reports from a military-affiliated Chinese outlet, the J-35A is “designed mainly for air combat operations” but is also capable of conducting air-to-surface attacks.

If the aircraft is commissioned into service, China would become the second nation, following the US, to operate two types of stealth fighters. The J-20 stealth fighter, which entered service in 2017, is currently in operation.

Stealth fighters are engineered to evade radar and other monitoring systems, allowing them to carry out missions undetected. Chinese military expert Li Li noted on state broadcaster CCTV that the J-35 could eventually be developed as a series of carrier-based aircraft, which would “greatly enhance the overall strength of China’s sea and air combat capabilities.”

The unveiling of the J-35A comes on the heels of what analysts from Janes, a global open-source intelligence firm, describe as a strengthening of China’s forward theatre commands with additional J-20s. Between July 2023 and June this year, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force inducted over 70 J-20s, bringing its operational fleet to approximately 195, according to a Janes report released earlier this year.

However, details regarding the commissioning and deployment of the new J-35A fighter remain unclear, and the limited information available makes direct comparisons with other stealth fighters, such as the US’ F-22 and F-35, challenging. Carl Schuster, a former director of operations at the US Pacific Command's Joint Intelligence Centre, indicated that the J-35A, which has been in development for more than a decade, is likely intended for the PLA Navy.

The J-35 made its maiden flight in 2021, and Schuster suggested that as a derivative of an earlier prototype, it may be ready for production by early next year, possibly featuring upgraded engines that enhance its performance.

Meanwhile, China's development of stealth fighters has long been marred by accusations of technology theft from the US, which Beijing has vehemently denied. These allegations gained prominence following the 2015 release of documents by German magazine Der Spiegel, reportedly from NSA leaker Edward Snowden.

The J-35A is not the only technology making its debut at next week’s Zhuhai airshow, scheduled from November 12 to 17. The event will also showcase the H-19 surface-to-air missile system and new "reconnaissance and strike" unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to Colonel Niu Wenbo of the air force’s equipment department. Additionally, Russia’s Su-57 stealth fighter will also participate in the airshow for the first time, alongside equipment from 49 different countries and regions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev