China’s J-35 Fighter Can Be Summed Up in Just 4 Simple Words

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Designed to Scare Taiwan: China’s J-35 stealth fighter, unveiled at the Zhuhai Air Show, showcases the PLAAF’s commitment to modernization and Indo-Pacific dominance.

-Resembling the F-35 due to alleged cyber espionage, the J-35 features radar-evading attributes, a WS-19 engine capable of MACH 2 speeds, and advanced avionics.

-Though not yet in serial production, analysts believe the J-35 and J-20 aim to challenge American air superiority and intimidate Taiwan.

-While its stealth capabilities may not match the F-22 or F-35, the J-35 could gain an edge over Taiwanese fourth-gen jets, bolstering China’s air power and threatening U.S. carrier strike groups in the region.

China’s J-35 Fighter: A Stealth Rival to the F-35?

The United States has two operational fifth-generation stealth fighters, and China also wants two. 

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is forging ahead with the J-35 stealth fighter and the J-20 fifth-generation warbird with radar-evading attributes. 

The J-35 is noteworthy because it received its first public unveiling at the Zhuhai Air Show last month. 

The J-35 impressed attendees due to its maneuverability and speed during the five-minute flight – qualities it hopes will someday dominate the F-35 and F-22.

PLAAF Modernization Efforts Are on Track for Future Dominance

People were also able to see a mock-up of the J-35 up close. This had military analysts in attendance convinced that the J-35 would allow the PLAAF to have either parity or the advantage in aerial combat over the Americans in the hotly contested Indo-Pacific region. 

The J-35 is another example of the PLAAF’s modernization efforts and the ability of designers and engineers to match the United States in aerial combat at every turn.

“The message that [China’s military] is equal to the US and the rest of the west”, said Carl Schuster, a military analyst and former director of operations at US Pacific Command’s joint intelligence center. “US forces have enjoyed … air supremacy in every post-World War two conflict. China’s growing air power challenges that now-traditional western advantage,” he said.

It Looks Like the F-35 Lightning II

The J-35 does not have a unique design. You guessed it, the Chinese copied the shape of the F-35. No surprise there. Past cyber spying operations conducted by China stole data on the F-35. It was only a matter of time before the PLAAF integrated these counterfeit components into their stealth fighters. The Chinese may have been granted access to information on avionics and other internal systems. 

More Details About the J-35

The J-35 is a medium-sized stealth fighter. It has a “twin divert-less supersonic intake, twin-engine layout, and a single ventral internal weapons bay (IWB). It possesses a conventional wing and tail configuration, with the usual hallmarks of a stealthy fifth-generation aircraft such as edge alignment, chines, serrated paneling and doors, and a relatively smooth external finish. Radar absorption materials are virtually guaranteed, both structurally ‘baked in’ and surface applied once it enters production,” according to the Diplomat.

This airplane will likely use the new WS-19 engine (this is different than the Chinese-built WS-15 engines that are on the J-20 Mighty Dragon). 

The WS-19 has not been used before, but it will likely have ample power and supercruise capability with thrust vectoring. Look for the WS-19 powerplant to push the speed of the J-35 over MACH 2.

The J-35 has an electro-optic/infrared sensor, and the cockpit has a wide-angle holographic heads-up display.

Chinese Stealth Fighters Against the U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group

The new weapons for the J-20 and the J-35 are in development, but they are likely to have anti-ship capabilities or other air-to-surface traits. 

This would give both airplanes an advantage in a fight against American carrier strike groups. 

China is rolling the dice and taking risks by developing two stealth fighters simultaneously. There may be duplication of effort that could hamper economies of scale and create cost pressures when both get to serial production. The command of the PLAAF is not likely to throttle production back on either airplane, though.

Match-up With American Fifth-generation Warbirds

The J-35 probably won’t be as stealthy as the F-35 or F-22, but that may not be necessary. The real test will be when it is up against Taiwanese fighters that may not be able to spot the J-35 as easily as a fourth-generation jet such as the PLAAF’s J-10 Vigorous Dragon.

Plus, the J-35 is not ready for serial production. There is ample need for test and evaluation. A short hop at an air show does not mean it will someday rival the F-22 or F-35, and its complete stealthiness is not assured.

However, it does show that the PLAAF is serious about matching the United States and scaring the Taiwanese. The J-20 and J-35 do not have to be that stealthy to win a fight over Taiwan. 

That means China again has the advantage in the Taiwan Strait by developing both airplanes.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood 

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.