Beijing’s Latest Advancement in Stealth Technology
China has officially disclosed fresh details about its new J-35A stealth fighter jet, with lead developer Wang Yongqing confirming the aircraft’s pivotal role in safeguarding national airspace. The J-35A, unveiled at an airshow in Zhuhai in November 2024, is China’s second stealth fighter after the J-20 making it the only nation besides the United States to operate multiple stealth aircraft types.
Multi-Domain Coordination at the Core
According to Wang, the J-35A is designed for “multi-domain coordination,” allowing it to engage and share target information with other weapon systems, including surface-to-air missile batteries. The fighter’s radar capabilities can even be used to guide external weapons to their targets, enabling integrated operations across China’s air defence network.
Designed to Counter Stealth Threats
The aircraft is seen as a direct response to potential threats posed by foreign stealth technologies. Without naming specific nations, Wang pointed to the increasing use of stealth jets and cruise missiles by adversaries an implicit reference to the U.S. and its allies, particularly those operating F-35 aircraft. The J-35A is intended to help neutralise such “high-level threats” by acting as both a sensor and a combat platform.
Scalable and Strategic
The J-35A is part of China’s broader ambition to field an affordable yet highly capable stealth fleet at significant scale. This supports the country’s strategy of strengthening its long-range airpower, which already ranks as the largest in the Indo-Pacific region and the third largest globally.
Looking Ahead
As China continues to refine its stealth capabilities, the J-35A is expected to become a central asset in the country’s future air defence architecture, complementing existing platforms and helping to shape a more interconnected and resilient combat environment.