The J-35A officially enters service with the PLAAF, its characteristics, strategic and technological implications.
Summary
October 15, 2025 marks a decisive milestone for Chinese aviation: the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has officially integrated the J-35A, a stealthy land-to-air variant of the J-35/FC-31 naval fighter. This aircraft combines multi-role capabilities, enhanced stealth, and liaison with the aircraft carrier fleet via the naval version J-35. It is intended to complement the J-20, with the aim of large-scale industrialization to densify the stealth fighter network. Technically, it incorporates a number of advances: folding wings, DSI (diverterless supersonic inlet) air intake, stealth coatings, and digital avionics. Strategically, this deployment strengthens China’s position in the South China Sea, intensifying the air and naval threat to the United States, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. While its actual performance remains largely confidential, the J-35A could become a central element of China’s kill chain, linking sensors, missiles, and networked units.
The J-35A: official emergence of a stealth fighter
From the shadows to deployment: a timeline
The J-35 is derived from the FC-31 demonstrator (also known as the J-31), which was initially designed for the export market and naval missions. As development progressed, separate versions emerged: the J-35 (naval) carrier-based version and the J-35A (for the PLAAF) land-based version. On September 3, 2025, during the V-Day parade, China publicly displayed J-35s and J-35As in formation, symbolically marking their entry into the official arsenal.
On October 15, 2025, a date chosen for its symbolism, the PLAAF officially announced the integration of the J-35A into a combat unit, ensuring a transition from prototype to operational status. This milestone confirms that low-rate production is now underway.
Media reports claim that the navalized J-35 has already been certified for the electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) of the Fujian aircraft carrier and has completed launches and recoveries on board.
Technical characteristics and differences from the FC-31
The J-35A is classified as a medium-sized fighter with a multi-role capability (air-to-ground and air-to-air). It has landing gear suitable for land bases, a structure optimized for stealth, and an internal weapons load. It retains the innovations of the FC-31 project: DSI-type air intake (without significant mechanical flaps), smooth streamlined shape with blended body construction, trapezoidal wings + canted tailplanes, and improved visibility canopy.
According to observers, the J-35A features revisions to the FC-31: modernized tail, raised cockpit, folding wings, and structural modifications.
In terms of engines, the J-35A is expected to use Chinese WS-19 class engines or improved versions, in order to reduce dependence on Russian-made engines.
In tactical roles, it could serve as a mobile sensor in the kill chain: detecting or tracking targets, sharing data with SAM or other aircraft, and guiding external missiles.
Some commentators present the J-35A as the “numerous” half of China’s stealth arsenal: compared to the more specialized J-20, the J-35A is aimed at larger-scale production, with an optimized compromise between performance and cost.
Operational capability and technological challenges
Stealth, avionics, and network integration
The degree of stealth of the J-35A—absorbent materials, panel alignment, radar coatings—remains largely classified. Some doubts remain about the maturity of these technologies in the face of modern AESA radars.
Its avionics must incorporate sensor fusion, secure data links, onboard electronic warfare, and scalable mission architectures—an area where China is catching up with its competitors.
It must integrate with Chinese communications networks (C4ISR) to become a node in the “kill chain”: detection, processing, transmission, strike. The J-35A is explicitly expected to cooperate with ground or naval systems in tracking stealth targets or cruise missiles.
Stress resistance and reliability
There are many challenges: internal cooling, degradation of stealth surfaces, coating maintenance, and structural wear.
High-load piloting, maneuvering requirements, and projected speed (Mach 1.8 or more) impose high thermal and structural margins.
The reliability of domestic engines (WS-19 or other) is a critical issue: their stability in sustained flight, performance at high temperatures, maintenance, and life cycles will be decisive.
Onboard testing and aircraft carrier certification
For the naval version of the J-35, certification for launch and recovery on catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested recovery (CATOBAR) aircraft carriers is essential. In September 2025, official videos showed launch and landing operations on the Fujian with J-35s, demonstrating the use of electromagnetic catapults.
This makes the J-35 the first stealth fighter to operate via EMALS on a Chinese aircraft carrier, an ambitious strategic milestone.
However, real-world testing in harsh marine environments and the control of onboard cycles (salinity, corrosion, deck stresses) still need to be validated over time.
Geostrategic and military implications
Strengthening China’s naval projection
The integration of the J-35A (and the J-35 for the navy) allows China to increase its stealth air capabilities, including in disputed maritime areas. The PLAAF will now have two types of stealth fighters (J-20 and J-35A), a configuration rarely seen outside the United States.
This capability reinforces China’s deterrence posture in the Indo-Pacific, particularly around Taiwan, the Paracel Islands, the Spratly Reefs, and in the South and East China Seas.
Intensification of regional tensions
The commissioning of the J-35A is alarming neighboring countries: Japan, South Korea, and India are monitoring this technological advancement in air superiority.
The potential delivery of J-35As to allies such as Pakistan is being considered, which could alter the strategic balance in the Indian subcontinent. ([turn0search26])
China is becoming even more credible in regional air and naval warfare, forcing powers such as the United States to reassess their air superiority posture in nearby seas.
Pressure on enemy information and sensor chains
A larger number of stealth fighters allows China to saturate enemy defenses, carry out stealth raids, or conduct deep sensing missions.
The J-35A could be used to escort bombers, penetrate enemy defenses, or escort anti-ship missions in contested areas.
Limitations, uncertainties, and critical perspectives
Secrecy, hype, and unverified performance
Despite its proclaimed entry into service, concrete performance data (range, payload, stealth distance, endurance) remain largely unknown. Some analysts describe the J-35A as a media “black box.”
It is possible that initial deployment will be limited to pilot units and that the J-35A still needs time to reach full operational capacity.
Technical gap with Western aircraft
In certain areas—engines, frontal stealth, sensor fusion, interoperability, maintenance ecosystems—the J-35A could lag behind models such as the F-35.
Software development, mission mode updates, and data link security will be crucial challenges to overcome in order to achieve true operational effectiveness.
Cost, logistics, and sustainability
Integrating a new stealth fighter requires support infrastructure (coating maintenance, parts logistics, simulators, training). The cost of operation could weigh heavily on China’s aviation budget, despite its industrial capacity.
Maintaining stealth coatings, ensuring consistent panel alignment, and optimizing the maintenance chain will be challenges in a demanding operational climate.
October 15, 2025 may go down in history as the moment China crossed a threshold in its air force modernization: the official entry of the J-35A into the PLAAF. This stealth fighter, combined with the naval version J-35, strengthens China’s position in 21st-century air competition. But the path to becoming a true world-class competitor is not yet clear: technical, software, logistical, and operational challenges remain high. This deployment is a powerful signal, but it is the flights, exercises, and mass production that will give the J-35A real value in the global military arena.
Live a unique fighter jet experience