A brief, grainy video clip circulating on social media has ignited a fresh wave of speculation about China’s ambitions to export its latest stealth fighter—and whether Pakistan could be its first foreign customer. The footage, which appeared online earlier this week, shows what is believed to be an export prototype of the J-35 stealth aircraft rolling out of a hangar, prompting intense debate among defense observers across Asia and beyond.
The aircraft in question is linked to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), which is spearheading Beijing’s push into the high-end fighter export market. The clip, posted on X by user @louischeung_hk on May 3, 2026, shows a grey, twin-engine fighter viewed from behind, framed by a large hangar opening onto an airfield. Though only around 10 seconds long, the video quickly went viral, with many claiming it depicted a J-35A fighter destined for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
Within hours of the clip’s release, defense enthusiasts and open-source intelligence trackers began identifying the aircraft as a J-35A—China’s newest fifth-generation stealth fighter—and asserting that it was bound for Pakistan. The claims triggered contrasting reactions: excitement among Pakistani defense circles and alarm among Indian observers, reflecting the broader geopolitical sensitivities in South Asia.
However, the narrative soon took an unexpected turn. The original post was deleted without explanation, raising questions about the authenticity of the claims and the intentions behind the upload.
Shortly thereafter, noted China military aviation researcher Andreas Rupprecht stepped in to clarify the situation. Posting on X, Rupprecht dismissed the initial assertions, stating that the aircraft in the video was not a Pakistani-bound J-35A, but rather the first export prototype—designated J-35AE—developed by AVIC.
He emphasized that there has been no official confirmation from either Beijing or Islamabad regarding a finalized sale of the aircraft.
The J-35A represents China’s latest attempt to enter the elite club of nations producing fifth-generation stealth fighters. A land-based derivative of the broader J-35 family, the aircraft is a medium-weight, twin-engine, multirole platform designed with advanced stealth characteristics.
Its features include a blended wing-body design, diverterless supersonic inlets (DSI), edge-aligned surfaces, radar-absorbent materials, and internal weapons bays—hallmarks of modern low-observable aircraft. The jet bears a strong visual resemblance to the American F-35 Lightning II, though Chinese officials have positioned it as potentially even more stealthy.
The J-35A was publicly unveiled during the Zhuhai Air Show 2024, where it drew significant international attention. Since then, speculation has persisted about its first export customer.
Among potential buyers, Pakistan has consistently been viewed as the most probable candidate. The rationale is grounded in longstanding defense ties between the two countries. Pakistan is one of the world’s largest arms importers, and China supplies over 80% of its military hardware.
The PAF has already inducted Chinese platforms such as the Chengdu J-10C, making it the first—and so far only—foreign operator of that aircraft. This deep strategic partnership has led many analysts to assume that Islamabad would naturally be the launch customer for China’s first export-oriented stealth fighter.
Reports over the past two years have suggested that Pakistan could acquire up to 40 J-35A jets, potentially forming two operational squadrons. However, official messaging from Islamabad has been inconsistent.
In December 2023 and again in January 2024, Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu indicated that groundwork had been laid for acquiring a stealth fighter—then referred to as the J-31, an earlier designation linked to the J-35 program. He suggested the aircraft would join the fleet “in the near future.”
Yet by mid-2025, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif publicly denied any such deal, calling the reports media speculation beneficial to Chinese arms marketing.
Adding to the confusion, a now-deleted government social media post in June 2025 claimed China had offered Pakistan a package including J-35A fighters, KJ-500 airborne warning aircraft, and HQ-19 air defense systems in a deal valued at $4.6 billion.
Analysts have pointed out that Pakistan’s economic challenges could complicate any high-cost acquisition. Fifth-generation fighters are not only expensive to procure but also costly to maintain, requiring advanced infrastructure and logistics support.
Rupprecht has cautioned that many rumors surrounding the J-35A originate from unreliable sources. Even official Pakistani statements, he noted, have been vague, often using ambiguous timelines without concrete commitments.
“There are repeated claims that ‘we will get them soon,’ but no specific delivery schedule has ever been confirmed,” he observed.
Beyond Pakistan, China appears to be positioning the J-35A for a wider export market. According to Rupprecht, the export variant—J-35AE—may have already flown as early as November 2024, though it was not publicly displayed at Zhuhai as initially expected.
He also suggested that an undisclosed customer may have been involved in financing the program from an early stage, hinting at a more complex development and sales strategy.
One potential candidate frequently mentioned is the United Arab Emirates. The UAE has previously sought to acquire the F-35 but faced restrictions from the United States, partly due to concerns over maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge.
In its 2025 report to Congress, the US Pentagon identified the UAE, along with Egypt and Saudi Arabia, as potential customers for China’s stealth fighter.
China’s strategy appears clear: target countries that are either unable to purchase Western stealth fighters due to political constraints or unwilling to pay their premium costs. In this context, the J-35A is marketed as a viable alternative.
If Pakistan ultimately acquires the J-35A, the implications for South Asia’s strategic balance could be significant. Stealth aircraft offer a decisive advantage in modern warfare, particularly in conducting first-strike operations while evading detection.
Military analysts argue that such an acquisition would enhance Pakistan’s aerial capabilities relative to India, especially in the near term.
India, for its part, is still developing its indigenous fifth-generation fighter under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. However, the aircraft is not expected to become operational before the mid-2030s.
This timeline could create a capability gap if Pakistan fields stealth fighters earlier. Indian defense experts have therefore advocated interim solutions, including purchasing foreign platforms such as the Russian Su-57 or expanding orders of existing fighters like the Rafale.
Despite the intense speculation, the reality remains uncertain. No official deal has been confirmed, and the identity of the J-35A’s first export customer remains undisclosed.
The viral video that sparked the latest debate has ultimately highlighted how quickly unverified information can shape strategic narratives in the digital age. For now, the J-35A continues to occupy a space somewhere between operational reality and geopolitical speculation.
