BEIJING (Realist English). The J-35, China’s second fifth-generation fighter jet, is attracting attention from prospective buyers in the Middle East amid growing demand for advanced stealth aircraft — even though many of its performance characteristics remain undisclosed, according to defence analysts.
China, the United States and Russia remain the only producers of fifth-generation fighters, and all three presented their aircraft at last week’s Dubai Air Show. On display was a full-scale model of the J-35, produced by China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) and featuring a design that closely resembles the American F-35.
Fifth-generation jets typically combine low-observable technology with the ability to supercruise — flying at supersonic speeds without afterburners — alongside integrated avionics, internal weapons bays and advanced sensor systems. Their agility, coupled with superior situational awareness, makes them more capable in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions than earlier aircraft.
The J-35 was originally developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation as the carrier-borne fighter for China’s newest aircraft carrier, Fujian. The version shown in Dubai, the J-35A, is the land-based variant designed for air force operations.