After years of secrecy, speculation, and iterative prototyping, China’s second fifth-generation stealth fighter—the J-35A—has reportedly completed its maiden flight as the first airframe to emerge from full-rate mass production. This milestone marks a pivotal step in Beijing’s quest to rival U.S. and allied airpower in key flashpoints across the Indo-Pacific, including the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
The J-35A, developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), a subsidiary of the state-run Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), has now officially transitioned from limited production into full-scale manufacturing. For military analysts and regional actors alike, this shift signals not only technological maturity but also Beijing’s readiness to deploy the aircraft in meaningful numbers to fulfill both domestic defense objectives and international security partnerships.
Unlike its predecessor, the Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon,” which is tightly guarded and reserved exclusively for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the J-35A has been developed with a different vision: dual-service integration and export. Its emergence from the production line—painted in characteristic zinc chromate primer used for anti-corrosion purposes—was caught on amateur video and photos that surfaced online, reportedly near SAC’s facility in northeastern China.
While official confirmation from Beijing remains limited, Chinese state-linked outlets and defense forums have corroborated the sightings. According to defense experts, the J-35A is now past the experimental phase and has moved into operational readiness. Mass production implies that the aircraft is being manufactured in quantity, not merely for further testing, but for active deployment in combat-ready formations.
Reports from regional defense sources indicate that Pakistan, a long-time Chinese defense partner, will be the first foreign operator of the J-35A. Islamabad is said to have placed an initial order for 40 units, with an accelerated delivery timeline that could see the first batch handed over as early as Q1 2026—six months ahead of the previously scheduled date.
This move is likely strategic. In the wake of growing tensions between India and Pakistan, and India’s current reliance on a mix of older fourth-generation Su-30MKIs and 4.5-generation Rafale jets, Pakistan’s acquisition of a fifth-generation stealth platform represents a significant shift in regional airpower dynamics.
Training of Pakistani Air Force (PAF) pilots is already underway in China, with select personnel undergoing conversion training to operate the J-35A. While official confirmation from Islamabad or Beijing has yet to be issued, defense sources suggest the program is well into its execution phase.
If the J-35A is delivered on time, Pakistan will become the first South Asian nation to field a fifth-generation stealth fighter, giving it an unprecedented edge in networked warfare, beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagements, and air superiority missions. For India, which has no operational fifth-generation aircraft of its own, this development could prompt a recalibration of procurement priorities and doctrine.
The J-35A’s stealth capabilities, combined with its digital sensor fusion, AI-assisted combat functions, and secure data link architecture, enable it to serve as both a frontline fighter and a data relay hub—a capability currently unmatched by India’s fighter inventory.
The J-35A features a twin-engine, single-seat configuration optimized for low observability and agility. Its V-tail layout, serrated panel edges, and internal weapons bay all serve to minimize radar cross-section (RCS) and infrared signature. Compared to the canard-delta configuration of the J-20, the J-35A adopts a more traditional airframe better suited for naval and export roles.
In terms of avionics and combat systems, the aircraft is equipped with an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, electro-optical targeting systems, and a distributed aperture system (DAS) akin to the U.S. F-35. These components enable 360-degree awareness and autonomous threat tracking in highly contested environments.
Notably, the J-35A is also designed to function within China’s Integrated Air Defense System (IADS), acting as a node that collects, fuses, and shares real-time intelligence across multiple platforms—manned, unmanned, sea-based, or land-based.
Its twin-engine layout provides greater survivability compared to single-engine fighters like the U.S. F-35A, although this does slightly increase the aircraft’s RCS. To counter this, engineers have incorporated radar-absorbing materials, recessed sensors, and stealthy exhaust shaping.
According to AVIC engineers and Chinese defense sources, the J-35A’s core mission is to gain and maintain air superiority, penetrate enemy defenses, and conduct deep-strike operations while staying undetected. It is optimized for operating in both contested and sensor-saturated environments, including areas where airborne early warning systems (AEW&C), long-range SAMs, and enemy fighters are present.
Its internal weapons bay is expected to carry a mix of PL-15 and PL-17 BVR missiles, designed for long-range engagements, while future variants may include precision-guided ground attack munitions.
The aircraft is expected to serve in a force-multiplying role—linking up with drones, missile systems, and other aircraft to create a cohesive, AI-supported kill chain. This role is directly comparable to how the U.S. military uses the F-35 in its Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) framework.
A navalized variant of the J-35A is also under active development, intended for deployment aboard China’s new Type 003 catapult-equipped aircraft carriers. The addition of a stealth fighter capable of carrier operations represents a dramatic expansion of China’s blue-water capabilities and its ambitions to project power far beyond its shores.
This would allow the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to operate a stealth air wing in both near-seas and far-seas missions, further complicating strategic calculations for U.S. carrier groups and allied forces in the Indo-Pacific.
From an export perspective, the J-35A fills a gap in the global fighter market. With the U.S. F-22 off-limits for export and the F-35A subject to strict political oversight, the J-35A emerges as a viable fifth-generation alternative for countries aligned with or neutral toward Beijing.
Its relatively lower cost, modular architecture, and upgrade potential make it appealing to nations seeking advanced capabilities without the constraints imposed by Western suppliers. In Africa, Southeast Asia, and even parts of the Middle East, potential customers are reportedly evaluating the platform.
This export strategy also serves a dual purpose for Beijing: expanding its influence through defense cooperation and shaping the global military-industrial balance away from Western hegemony.
The debut of a mass-produced Chinese stealth fighter carries profound implications for global security. It challenges longstanding Western air superiority, accelerates the ongoing stealth arms race in Asia, and provides Beijing with a tool to project military power in both deterrent and offensive postures.
With the J-35A likely to appear in numbers over the next few years, China is poised to redefine the rules of engagement in potential conflict zones like the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, and Indo-Pacific shipping lanes. Its ability to operate seamlessly with drones, ships, and missile systems gives it unmatched versatility in enforcing anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategies.
From the South China Sea to the Himalayas, this aircraft could become a decisive factor in any future confrontation, altering not just tactical outcomes but the very strategic posture of nations on its radar.
China’s unveiling of the J-35A as a full-rate production stealth fighter is more than a technical milestone—it’s a statement of intent. With operational deployment on the horizon and Pakistan waiting as its first export recipient, the aircraft’s impact on regional airpower dynamics is already being felt. The J-35A is China’s answer to the next era of aerial warfare. Whether this sparks further escalation or serves as a deterrent remains to be seen—but what’s clear is that the skies over Asia are about to change.
