SOURCE: AFI
The 15th China Air Show, held biennially in Zhuhai, opened on November 12th and will continue until the 17th. This year’s event highlights China’s latest advancements in civil and military aviation, with the primary attraction being the debut of the J-35A stealth fighter. Chinese state media have claimed that this aircraft rivals the world’s top stealth fighters, but international analysts dispute these assertions, pointing to several limitations and uncertainties surrounding the jet’s true capabilities.
The J-35A, developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), made its public debut with an aerial demonstration on the show’s opening day. Footage from Chinese state media showed the J-35A executing rapid maneuvers, including a swift takeoff, midair flips, and high-speed climbs. The J-35A bears a close resemblance to the American F-35, a similarity that has fueled comparisons between the two aircraft. However, experts remain skeptical about China’s claim that the J-35A matches the F-35 in stealth and combat capabilities.
The J-35A’s lineage traces back to the FC-31, initially showcased in 2014 as a proposed multi-role fighter. Its design has evolved from a land-based fighter to one suited for carrier operations, likely intended to operate from China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian. Although this upgrade demonstrates adaptability, analysts note that China’s design approach often mirrors those of foreign models. Shen Mingshi, of Taiwan’s National Defense and Security Research Institute, noted that the J-35A’s design borrows heavily from both Russian carrier-based aircraft and the American F-35, calling it “a knockoff that cannot surpass the original.”
International experts, such as Colin Koh from Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, highlighted the difficulties in assessing the J-35A’s actual capabilities due to the classified nature of China’s military research and development. Koh noted that fifth-generation fighter jets, like the F-35 and F-22, rely on an intricate combination of stealth, high mobility, and advanced avionics — areas where China’s technology still lags behind that of the United States.
The J-35A faces significant hurdles in its engine technology. Unlike the F-35, which operates with a single powerful engine, the J-35A uses two, potentially impacting both stealth and fuel efficiency. Military expert Mark Ho pointed out that the use of twin engines increases the fighter’s radar cross-section, making it more susceptible to detection. Moreover, the J-35A lacks the sophisticated radar-absorbing materials that give American stealth aircraft their edge, particularly in reducing infrared and radar signatures. Eric Wicklund, a former U.S. Navy operations expert, emphasized that while China may replicate the shape of the F-35, achieving comparable radar-absorbent coatings is a far more complex task, and this deficit could greatly hinder the J-35A’s stealth profile.
Beyond physical design, the J-35A is at a disadvantage in terms of combat readiness and real-world experience. The F-35 has accumulated over a decade of operational experience, with nearly 1,000 units in service across approximately 20 countries. This widespread use offers critical feedback for improvements, particularly in avionics and software, areas where China’s fighters fall short. Former U.S. Naval officer Su Tzu-yun argued that China’s avionic systems, lacking the same level of field-tested data, are unlikely to offer the same level of situational awareness or sensor fusion as the F-35.
In Taiwan, where regional tensions remain high, analysts like Su pointed out that while Taiwan’s fleet lacks stealth aircraft, its upgraded F-16Vs are equipped with active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar capable of tracking stealth aircraft like China’s J-20. This capability puts the J-35A’s alleged superiority into question, as Taiwanese F-16Vs have already demonstrated the ability to target stealth aircraft.
While the Chinese aviation industry has made strides in indigenous technology, it continues to grapple with internal issues like corruption and quality control, casting further doubt on the durability and reliability of the J-35A. Corruption scandals within AVIC and other military manufacturing sectors have occasionally hindered production quality. For instance, reports indicate that substandard materials and outsourced manufacturing by temporary workers have led to faulty components and safety risks. Shen Mingshi highlighted that while American jets have a 15-year lifespan, Chinese jets may only last five to ten years, which could affect long-term fleet viability.
In August of this year, AVIC’s former chairman, Tan Ruisong, was dismissed amid corruption charges, underscoring challenges within China’s defense industry. Some experts believe that this systemic corruption could lead to shortcuts in production, potentially compromising the aircraft’s overall quality and safety.