Chinese SAC - FC-31/J-35 5th Gen Stealth Aircraft

[Oscar]

Based on the photos released so far, none of the three versions of the J-35 have been finalized yet.

My optimistic estimate is that by the end of 2026, the total number of J-35 series fighter jets (including all versions) will be approximately 50-80. The probability of exceeding 100 is almost non-existent.

That’s too high a number to not create much more frequent sightings at different locations.
But then it also creates the aspect of deliveries to Pakistan

 

[Michael]

What the hell are you talking about LOL.
If the J-35 isn't finalized, it wouldn't have entered production.

You need to deeply understand what "小步快跑" means. This is one of the core logics behind China's weapons development. ------ Literal translation: Run with smaller strides and a faster pace.

@Deino

Lol, Indian failed IQ test too alone with pro independent Taiwan medias, the claim initially came from a social media account whose in favor of J-20 carrier version, so they wrote something like "as per professional estimation, J-35 have around seven minutes of combat times before it has to return after flying for 900km, whereas J-20 have 50 minutes." Then it was quoted by anti China Taiwan media and it spread like "Big Breaking, J-35 only have 7 minutes in the air, confirmed by China state TV".

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Don't pay attention to these foolish opinions.

That’s too high a number to not create much more frequent sightings at different locations.

"100+" is indeed too much. This exceeds the basic rules of industrial processes.
"50" is a normal number. "80" requires a great deal of effort, but it's an achievable number.

But then it also creates the aspect of deliveries to Pakistan

The possibility of the FC-31/J-35 fighter jet being officially delivered to Pakistan starting in 2026 is extremely low, almost non-existent. However, there might be other official announcements, such as the signing of a contract between the two parties or the PAF beginning trials of the FC-31/J-35 fighter jet.

 

[东风夜放花千树]

It's just a joke, don't take it seriously.

The naval version of the J-35 is currently an early version, not the final version. However, the PLA Navy has an urgent need, so SAC will prioritize meeting the needs of the Fujian aircraft carrier.

The air force version of the J-35 is already the final version. However, the PLAAF's needs are not urgent. They have enough patience to wait.

The export version of the FC-31/J-35 has existed for a long time. However, so far, no customer has officially placed an order.

I think there are currently no plans to sell the J-35.

After the J-35 lost the competition against the J-20 in the PLA's fifth-generation fighter project, some funds were raised for improvements. Later, it received a naval order, and then the Air Force also decided to procure some. According to the plan of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the J-35 project is planned to develop four versions: a carrier-based version, an Air Force version, a two-seat version, and an export version.

The carrier-based version and the Air Force version have already entered service. The carrier-based version is the J-35.
The Air Force version is the J-35A.

I think the next step is to develop a two-seat version of the J-35, taking reference from the J-20S, to achieve coordination between manned and unmanned aircraft. This is related to the accumulation of technology for developing future fighters. If Shenyang Aircraft Corporation cannot catch up with the technological development of Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, it will be at a disadvantage in future projects and technological competition with Chengdu, which is an undesirable outcome. We prefer to make choices among products with comparable performance to force military companies to advance technologically.

The Type 004 aircraft carrier is under construction, and carrier-based aircraft need to be prepared in advance. The Air Force is still equipping new aircraft, and the planes in service are still being improved. Shenyang Aircraft Corporation does not have extra production capacity for external sales.

The export version requires improvements, as export aircraft use a different system from what China uses. For Pakistan, which uses Chinese weapon systems, acquiring the J-35 would be simpler.

If India procures fifth-generation aircraft, Pakistan will equip J-35. Based on information from India, if India continues to procure Rafale fighters, Pakistan will not have a technological disadvantage. I speculate that Pakistan will continue with orders for the J-10CP.

 

[东风夜放花千树]

I still have my doubts over the ultra desperate delivery date. It's a 5th gen frontline fighter people. I also have faith in the Chinese as they have pulled off the impossible many a times so nothing seems impossible for them these days. Two 6th gen aircraft in the same year was a much bigger ask IMO. Who knows. The pace of production for both versions has clearly increased though.

Currently, Chinese aircraft companies have three sixth-generation fighter projects. The third project has been somewhat delayed. Chengdu and Shenyang now have an additional competitor.

 

[Shui]

Currently, Chinese aircraft companies have three sixth-generation fighter projects. The third project has been somewhat delayed. Chengdu and Shenyang now have an additional competitor.

Which is not true and that has been debunked, there are only two projects from SAC and CAC, it's not easy for some other company to start a brand new fighter project let alone sixth gen.

 

[Michael]

I think there are currently no plans to sell the J-35.

After the J-35 lost the competition against the J-20 in the PLA's fifth-generation fighter project, some funds were raised for improvements. Later, it received a naval order, and then the Air Force also decided to procure some. According to the plan of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the J-35 project is planned to develop four versions: a carrier-based version, an Air Force version, a two-seat version, and an export version.

The carrier-based version and the Air Force version have already entered service. The carrier-based version is the J-35.
The Air Force version is the J-35A.

I think the next step is to develop a two-seat version of the J-35, taking reference from the J-20S, to achieve coordination between manned and unmanned aircraft. This is related to the accumulation of technology for developing future fighters. If Shenyang Aircraft Corporation cannot catch up with the technological development of Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, it will be at a disadvantage in future projects and technological competition with Chengdu, which is an undesirable outcome. We prefer to make choices among products with comparable performance to force military companies to advance technologically.

The Type 004 aircraft carrier is under construction, and carrier-based aircraft need to be prepared in advance. The Air Force is still equipping new aircraft, and the planes in service are still being improved. Shenyang Aircraft Corporation does not have extra production capacity for external sales.

The export version requires improvements, as export aircraft use a different system from what China uses. For Pakistan, which uses Chinese weapon systems, acquiring the J-35 would be simpler.

If India procures fifth-generation aircraft, Pakistan will equip J-35. Based on information from India, if India continues to procure Rafale fighters, Pakistan will not have a technological disadvantage. I speculate that Pakistan will continue with orders for the J-10CP.

Your information contains several inaccuracies:
1. The design submitted by SAC for the PLAAF's 5th-generation fighter jet competition was not the J-35, but a different design. Only after this design failed the competition did SAC begin self-funding and launch the FC-31 project (the predecessor of the J-35 project).
2. The entity involved in the FC-31/J-35 project was not the PLA Navy or the PLAAF, but the PLA General Armaments Department.

Among the various versions of the FC-31/J-35 project, the air force version has developed the fastest. The naval version's development is approximately 1-1.5 years behind the air force version.
Currently:
Export version: Basically complete. Available for international customers to test and evaluate.
PLAAF version: Fully developed. Ready for mass production.
PLA Navy version: Transitional version. Small-scale production for use on the Fujian aircraft carrier. Mass production will only begin after the final, fully developed version is complete.

 

[NA71]

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[niubi]

We have a pretty credible guy on weibo saying we are going to see 100+ J-35 off the production line this year, 2026.

How is that even possible!?

Because they just completed and opened an entirely new production line dedicated to J-35 manufacturing. This facility is multiple hectare sized buildings basically a mini city. Toyota has a city for car production. SAC just opened a J-35 city.

And there are existing SAC production facilities that are retooling to J-35 production.

J-16 production apparently has stopped. Only J-16D of the J-16 series is open.

J-15T and J-15DT are both obviously still open because they are the F-14 like fleet defence fighters that J-35 just isn't due to smaller size. So Flanker production went from J-16, J-16D, J-15B, J-15D, J-15T, J-15DT to just J-16D, J-15T and J-15DT.

Freeing up lots of room for J-35 production.

J-35 said to be cheaper than J-20.

 

[Yasser76]

Because they just completed and opened an entirely new production line dedicated to J-35 manufacturing. This facility is multiple hectare sized buildings basically a mini city. Toyota has a city for car production. SAC just opened a J-35 city.

And there are existing SAC production facilities that are retooling to J-35 production.

J-16 production apparently has stopped. Only J-16D of the J-16 series is open.

J-15T and J-15DT are both obviously still open because they are the F-14 like fleet defence fighters that J-35 just isn't due to smaller size. So Flanker production went from J-16, J-16D, J-15B, J-15D, J-15T, J-15DT to just J-16D, J-15T and J-15DT.

Freeing up lots of room for J-35 production.

J-35 said to be cheaper than J-20.

I was thinking in first year of production there may be issues to be ironed out or skills to get up, but maybe this has already been done?

 

[niubi]

I think there are currently no plans to sell the J-35.

After the J-35 lost the competition against the J-20 in the PLA's fifth-generation fighter project, some funds were raised for improvements. Later, it received a naval order, and then the Air Force also decided to procure some. According to the plan of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the J-35 project is planned to develop four versions: a carrier-based version, an Air Force version, a two-seat version, and an export version.

No, J-35 never competed with J-20. The SAC program that competed and lost to J-20 was project named Snowy Owl. It was a really cool looking fighter and even larger than J-20 but considered too "far reaching" for PLA bigwigs even though SAC had more political favour than CAC. The design was probably also too ambitious yet less stealthy than J-20.

J-35 came out of SAC's mostly self funded FC-31 program to create a Lockheed Martin like 5th gen fighter which everyone seems to want. I mean Korea's KF-21, Turkey's KAAN, India's AMCA, even Europe's GCAP and FCAS/ Tempest they really all resemble that Lockheed Martin F-22/F-35 hybrid configuration. Arguably even the Su-57 is just that but with the Flanker style fuselage tunnel they kept from Flanker.

See how quickly and easily China can muster that up with close to no funding and still get it done faster than everyone else. FC-31 was trash half project that of course produced a flying concept plane but never a prototype level aircraft. This shell flew around aiming to attract some customers to provide development funding and then provide production funding.

Then PLANAF wanted smaller carrier 5th gen fighter. Smaller than J-20 because J-20 is too long for carriers. This produced J-35 program and eventually J-35 prototype was produced. Then PLAAF looking at this completed J-35 program realised the cost is decent and capability can offer things J-20 may miss out on because it focuses more on other mission types.

It is a bit dumb for PLAAF to also buy unless they know something we don't. But they have J-20A now and J-20S with UADFs. 6th gen fighters in 2030s. No need for J-35 at all but such is China's production capacity and prices. J-35A for PLAAF may have also been pushed by the export potential for J-35A. So since that land based model is developed for export, PLAAF wants some too.

Which is not true and that has been debunked, there are only two projects from SAC and CAC, it's not easy for some other company to start a brand new fighter project let alone sixth gen.

Apparently the rumours of that third 6th gen fighter is not entirely without merit. There was a third distinct type of 6th gen spotted by people in late 2024 or early 2025 but it wasn't manned fighter. Distinct shape of planform compared to J-36 and J-50.

 

[niubi]

I was thinking in first year of production there may be issues to be ironed out or skills to get up, but maybe this has already been done?

Definitely always initial production woes.

Their aim is to achieve 100+ units a year. It takes a few years to really get there. It took J-20 5+ years to get to 100+ units per year. BUT there are lessons from J-20 they can apply. J-35 is said to be a cheaper and simpler aircraft than J-20 but can be more stealthy if they don't cheap out with cost cutting.

While I agree their aim is to achieve 100 units in 2026 already they probably can't but it's a good goal to have. They might get to 100+ units per year faster than with J-20 since they actually set up production much faster and with better planning than the whole journey with J-20.

China was also not as capable back in mid 2010s when setting up mass production for J-20 than it is in mid 2020s when setting up mass production for J-35. Lots of lessons and new technologies now with manufacturing and especially high tech, high precision mass production. It is simply the hardest thing in engineering - manufacturing and more importantly, economical mass production of technology products. Much much more difficult than any fancy pure science or playing with maths. Easily the hardest and most resource and talent demanding thing is manufacturing.

 

[Michael]

And there are existing SAC production facilities that are retooling to J-35 production.
J-16 production apparently has stopped. Only J-16D of the J-16 series is open.

Who told you that SAC (Shenyang Aircraft Corporation) stopped J-16 production? That's pure nonsense.

China still has a large number of old fighter jets in service, including the J-7, J-8, FBC-1, Su-27, J-11A, and Su-30. These need to be replaced by a large number of new fighter jets.
The PLAAF (People's Liberation Army Air Force) has stopped procuring the J-10C. There are also no signs of J-11B production resuming.
Even with high-speed production of the J-20 and J-35, it's impossible to meet such a large demand. Moreover, it's simply unrealistic to fill these roles with the most advanced 5th-generation fighter jets.

See how quickly and easily China can muster that up with close to no funding and still get it done faster than everyone else. FC-31 was trash half project that of course produced a flying concept plane but never a prototype level aircraft. This shell flew around aiming to attract some customers to provide development funding and then provide production funding.

Who told you that the FC-31 was just "a flying concept plane"?
The development of the FC-31 into the J-35 is the result of multiple iterations.
And the first to support it was NOT the PLA Navy!!!

 

[niubi]

Who told you that SAC (Shenyang Aircraft Corporation) stopped J-16 production? That's pure nonsense.

I heard on Chinese forums. Only J-16D is kept and of course naval Flankers.
Maybe it's not true but J-16D is the much better and more useful J-16 and navy still has their Flankers.

China still has a large number of old fighter jets in service, including the J-7, J-8, FBC-1, Su-27, J-11A, and Su-30. These need to be replaced by a large number of new fighter jets.

No. They do not lol.

Did every country replace all their thousands of warships in the modern era? Sorry we are in age of UADFs and manned fighters are far too pointless to keep in such ridiculous numbers. China already has around 1500 4th to 5th gens and adding around 300 more every year.

The PLAAF (People's Liberation Army Air Force) has stopped procuring the J-10C. There are also no signs of J-11B production resuming.
Even with high-speed production of the J-20 and J-35, it's impossible to meet such a large demand. Moreover, it's simply unrealistic to fill these roles with the most advanced 5th-generation fighter jets.

Who told you that the FC-31 was just "a flying concept plane"?
The development of the FC-31 into the J-35 is the result of multiple iterations.
And the first to support it was NOT the PLA Navy!!!

FC-31 was a concept plane. Full scale demonstrator. J-35 prototypes =/= FC-31.

Okay if not the PLAN then who? PLAAF?

 

[Michael]

I heard on Chinese forums. Only J-16D is kept and of course naval Flankers.
Maybe it's not true but J-16D is the much better and more useful J-16 and navy still has their Flankers.

The J-16 series fighter jets have been in high-speed production. However, the production quantity of the J-16D fighter jet is not large. Its purpose is completely different from the standard J-16 version, and they cannot be substituted for each other. More importantly, it is extremely expensive. The J-16D is even more expensive than the J-20.

Did every country replace all their thousands of warships in the modern era? Sorry we are in age of UADFs and manned fighters are far too pointless to keep in such ridiculous numbers. China already has around 1500 4th to 5th gens and adding around 300 more every year.

Here's a simple hint for you:
In recent years, the PLA has been recruiting fighter pilots on a large scale. Last year, they even revised the physical examination standards, lowering or even eliminating many requirements. This is clearly a preparatory measure to further expand the fighter pilot force.
After completing their studies and training, a small portion of these recruits will become carrier-based aircraft pilots for the PLA Navy, but the majority will serve in the PLAAF.

Now reconsider your point of view.

FC-31 was a concept plane. Full scale demonstrator. J-35 prototypes =/= FC-31.
Okay if not the PLAN then who? PLAAF?

The FC-31 fighter jet project was a self-funded project developed by SAC for the international export market.
After the FC-31 fighter jet completed its maiden flight, the PLA General Armaments Department, in conjunction with the PLAAF and PLA Navy, conducted in-depth investigations and analyses. They ultimately decided to intervene and began investing in the project. This project is designated as the J-31 fighter jet project within the PLA system. (At this time, the WS-13 engine was used.)
With the new investment, SAC, incorporating feedback and assessments from the PLA, made significant improvements to the project. Comprehensive and major changes were made to the aerodynamic design, engine, and avionics systems. Afterward, it was submitted to the PLA for re-evaluation. Following the evaluation, the PLA was generally satisfied, and the project was renamed the J-35 fighter jet project. (At this time, the WS-21 engine was used.)
Subsequently, the WS-19 engine was successfully developed. The J-35 fighter jet, equipped with the WS-19 engine, successfully completed its maiden flight, and some subsystems were upgraded again. This version is called the J-35A.

Don't ask this kind of question again.

 

[Tariq Habib Afridi]

No, J-35 never competed with J-20. The SAC program that competed and lost to J-20 was project named Snowy Owl. It was a really cool looking fighter and even larger than J-20 but considered too "far reaching" for PLA bigwigs even though SAC had more political favour than CAC. The design was probably also too ambitious yet less stealthy than J-20.

J-35 came out of SAC's mostly self funded FC-31 program to create a Lockheed Martin like 5th gen fighter which everyone seems to want. I mean Korea's KF-21, Turkey's KAAN, India's AMCA, even Europe's GCAP and FCAS/ Tempest they really all resemble that Lockheed Martin F-22/F-35 hybrid configuration. Arguably even the Su-57 is just that but with the Flanker style fuselage tunnel they kept from Flanker.

See how quickly and easily China can muster that up with close to no funding and still get it done faster than everyone else. FC-31 was trash half project that of course produced a flying concept plane but never a prototype level aircraft. This shell flew around aiming to attract some customers to provide development funding and then provide production funding.

Then PLANAF wanted smaller carrier 5th gen fighter. Smaller than J-20 because J-20 is too long for carriers. This produced J-35 program and eventually J-35 prototype was produced. Then PLAAF looking at this completed J-35 program realised the cost is decent and capability can offer things J-20 may miss out on because it focuses more on other mission types.

It is a bit dumb for PLAAF to also buy unless they know something we don't. But they have J-20A now and J-20S with UADFs. 6th gen fighters in 2030s. No need for J-35 at all but such is China's production capacity and prices. J-35A for PLAAF may have also been pushed by the export potential for J-35A. So since that land based model is developed for export, PLAAF wants some too.



Apparently the rumours of that third 6th gen fighter is not entirely without merit. There was a third distinct type of 6th gen spotted by people in late 2024 or early 2025 but it wasn't manned fighter. Distinct shape of planform compared to J-36 and J-50.

is this the Snowy Owl?