DefenseUnpainted J-35 stealth fighter hints at production start in China
Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) released images and video showing a J-35 stealth fighter in green primer completing a flight at the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation facility on January 6. The company stated it was the type’s first flight of the year.
Although AVIC did not label the aircraft as production-standard, the primer coating and visual differences from earlier test aircraft suggest the program may have entered a low-rate production phase.
Designed for carrier operations aboard the Fujian
The J-35 is tailored for electromagnetic catapult launches and arrested landings, matching the systems on the Fujian, China’s first aircraft carrier to adopt this technology. The aircraft had previously conducted takeoff and landing trials on the vessel in September 2025.
Along with the J-15T and KJ-600 AEW aircraft, the J-35 forms part of the fixed-wing air wing planned for the carrier, which officially entered service in November 2025.
Signs of structured manufacturing
The unpainted airframe shown this week matches earlier images aired in late 2025, which revealed multiple J-35 and J-35A units under construction at the Shenyang facility. These aircraft, seen in similar primer coatings, were presumed to be undergoing final assembly or ground testing.
While AVIC did not confirm delivery plans, the current pace of public disclosures points to program acceleration as the PLA Navy prepares to deploy its next-generation naval fleet.
China’s answer to the F-35C
The J-35 is part of a broader initiative to equip Chinese carriers with stealth-capable strike aircraft. Official sources describe the program as using a “twin-configuration” approach for both land-based and carrier-based operations.
The jet is widely expected to serve a role similar to that of the U.S. Navy’s F-35C — offering multirole capability, low observability, and carrier compatibility for extended maritime operations.
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