PAF J-35AE - News, Updates and Discussions

[Michael]

To date, "FC-31" remains the sole export designation officially released for this fighter aircraft. "J-35E" and "J-35AE" are merely speculative—and officially unacknowledged—"unofficial designations" coined by the media and netizens.

In November 2024, at the Zhuhai Airshow, the PLAAF officially unveiled the domestic-use variant designated as the "J-35A."

Subsequently, at international airshows such as IDEX in February 2025 and LIMA in May 2025, CATIC continued to market the aircraft to international clients under the export designation "FC-31." However, the physical models displayed at these events featured an external configuration identical to that of the PLAAF's domestic J-35A variant.

To date, in all official communications and activities conducted by relevant Chinese agencies, the designations "J-35E" or "J-35AE" have never appeared.

Consequently, as of the present moment, "FC-31" remains the sole official export designation for this fighter aircraft. Nevertheless, the specific version being offered has evolved significantly—advancing from the initial prototype stage to a configuration closely resembling the PLAAF's domestic J-35A variant.

Unless official sources release further information, the formal documentation regarding the PAF's acquisition of the aircraft will continue to designate it as the "FC-31"—albeit in an upgraded variant.

I wonder why the PAF still uses FC-31 pics.

Why is the PAF still using images of its prototype? I don't know. You could write to the PAF and ask.

 

[hasssanali8998]

why the PAF still uses FC-31 pics.

laziness , probably didnt have any pics of j35 when that pic was made and now too lazy to change it

 

[StormBreaker]

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[Deino]

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Link is dead now?

 

[Dalit]

I agree with the statement, however, currently there is another avenue for exporting sensitive weapons emerged, where J35AP can be deployed to Saudi under the treaty commitments. In that way, no regional power balance surrounding Pakistan is altered, and PAF can still gain the operational capability. It’s also likely that the first batch of J35AP will be therefore paid without giving burden to Pakistan budgets.

Very easy to answer. These or any other 5th generation fighter won't come before India inducts their 5th generation aircraft.

Look at what happened when India received their Rafale fighters. There is a pattern.

 

[Trailer23]

I wonder why the PAF still uses FC-31 pics.

Please don't open that Pandora's box.

I have personally dealt with those idiots.

Their Media Dept. is full of guys that don't know the difference between a JF-17 & a J-10. And yes, they're all Civilian.

They literally just go to Google Search and pic whatever is available.

Their boss just drops in (occasionally) checks in on 'em & probably goes play Golf or whatever.

 

[StormBreaker]

Link is dead now?

For good reasons perhaps, Other snapshots have been deleted from the platforms too.

You’re late

 

[Deino]

For good reasons perhaps, Other snapshots have been deleted from the platforms too.

You’re late

Indeed I am late, I have been in Valencia for more than a week with a class!

 

[MirageV3ff]

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This is still up

 

[Hopefully Pessimistic]

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This is still up

Probably another random mock-up with no real project behind it.

They made tons of mock ups but they simply don't have the infrastructure or technical know-how in many areas or funds to have a genuine project

 

[Michael]

Probably another random mock-up with no real project behind it.

They made tons of mock ups but they simply don't have the infrastructure or technical know-how in many areas or funds to have a genuine project

Scientific research and actual production are two entirely distinct endeavors.

All major powers in the aviation industry have undertaken numerous fighter jet projects that ultimately never entered actual production. China’s J-9, J-13, and J-14—among others—were projects that ultimately died in their infancy. However, the technological legacy left by scientists when they researched these projects is still in use today.

Therefore, the research findings of these Pakistani scientists will, too, eventually be transformed into tangible technological achievements one day.

 

[Deino]

Scientific research and actual production are two entirely distinct endeavors.

All major powers in the aviation industry have undertaken numerous fighter jet projects that ultimately never entered actual production. China’s J-9, J-13, and J-14—among others—were projects that ultimately died in their infancy. However, the technological legacy left by scientists when they researched these projects is still in use today.

Therefore, the research findings of these Pakistani scientists will, too, eventually be transformed into tangible technological achievements one day.

Pardon: There was a J-14?? Could you tell me please more??

 

[imadul]

I can't wait until this thing lands in Pakistan.

It'll ensure Pakistan's air dominance for the next decade.

India acquiring SU-57, which is battle proven in Ukraine.
Just estimated on paper BVR, and FCR capabilities, SU57 which India going to acquire, though it may take them longer vs Pak J-35AE. J35AE being smaller, and supposedly w better e-fusion may be able to detect heavier SU57 earlier. PAF has proven superior kill chain during May 2025 battle.

J-35AE RCS < 0.05m²
FCR KLJ-7A AESA 150–200 km.
PL-15 dual pulse rocket motor ~200–300 km mach 4-5
PL-17 dual pulse rocket motor ~300–500 km, mach 4-6

SU57 RCS 0.1 to 1.0m²
FCR Radar ~400 km
R77M single pulse ~190–200 km mach 5-6
R37M dual pulse 300-400 km mach 6+

SU57 radar
Main Nose Array (N036-1-01)
Side-Looking Arrays (N036B-1-01) in cheeks
Wing-Root L-Band Arrays (N036L-1-01): To detect stealth AC

 

[Michael]

Pardon: There was a J-14?? Could you tell me please more??

The J-9 and J-13 were both early Chinese fighter development programs, similar in concept and role to the F-16. The distinction lay in their origins: the J-9 was developed by the 611 Institute (CAC), while the J-13 was developed by the 601 Institute (SAC). Ultimately, both projects were cancelled; however, some of their research and development findings were subsequently applied to the J-10 project.

The J-14—also known as the "Snowy Owl" fighter project(雪鸮战斗机项目)—represented the 601 Institute's (SAC) entry into the competition for China's fifth-generation fighter program, where it competed against the J-20 project developed by the 611 Institute (CAC). Ultimately, the 611 Institute's J-20 project was selected as the winner. The J-14 project was subsequently terminated, though some of its research and development findings were later utilized in the FC-31/J-35 project.

*To date, no official Chinese government or institutional body has ever publicly acknowledged the existence of the J-14 project. All information regarding it is derived from analyses and compilations of fragmented data gathered from various Chinese-language media sources.

 

[Mohid Afzal]

The J-9 and J-13 were both early Chinese fighter development programs, similar in concept and role to the F-16. The distinction lay in their origins: the J-9 was developed by the 611 Institute (CAC), while the J-13 was developed by the 601 Institute (SAC). Ultimately, both projects were cancelled; however, some of their research and development findings were subsequently applied to the J-10 project.

The J-14—also known as the "Snowy Owl" fighter project(雪鸮战斗机项目)—represented the 601 Institute's (SAC) entry into the competition for China's fifth-generation fighter program, where it competed against the J-20 project developed by the 611 Institute (CAC). Ultimately, the 611 Institute's J-20 project was selected as the winner. The J-14 project was subsequently terminated, though some of its research and development findings were later utilized in the FC-31/J-35 project.

*To date, no official Chinese government or institutional body has ever publicly acknowledged the existence of the J-14 project. All information regarding it is derived from analyses and compilations of fragmented data gathered from various Chinese-language media sources.

There are still some images of "Snowy Owl" project on the internet, one of them is a photo taken in some event where the aircraft's model was being shown.