BEIJING, Nov. 6 -- The J-35A medium-sized multi-role stealth fighter jet is set to debut at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2024. Experts have offered insights into the features of the J-35A fighter jet.
The J-35 represents a family of fighter jets
Wang Yongqing, chief expert at the Shenyang Aircraft Design and Research Institute of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) , revealed that the J-35 represents a family of fighter jets. The J-35 series is designed to be one platform with multiple variants for both Chinese air and naval forces. Thanks to the re-use of technologies, the new aircraft features highly mature technology and system, which in turn improve its reliability. The "A" in the J-35A denotes its capability status, indicating a phase in its development, which is still underway and in order.
Differences between J-35A and J-20 fighter jets
Wang Mingzhi, a military analyst, explained that the J-20 is categorized as a heavy-duty stealth fighter jet , whereas the J-35A is a medium-sized multi-role stealth fighter jet. The primary distinction is that the J-20 focuses on air superiority missions, while the J-35A is versatile, capable of pursuing air superiority and accomplishing a variety of ground and maritime strike missions. In future operations, these two aircraft can precisely target at both land and sea objectives in a coordinated manner, thus playing a crucial role for achieving air superiority.
China becomes the second nation with two types of stealth fighter jets
Wang Mingzhi also noted that the Chinese PLA Air Force (PLAAF) now possesses two types of stealth fighter jets, marking that China's air power is rapidly evolving towards stealth capabilities. A range of mission combinations can be anticipated in future operations. Additionally, a significant trend will be the pairing of stealth fighter jets with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This symbolizes a key development in aerial warfare: the synergy between manned and unmanned systems.