The stealth fighter J-35A, developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, has carried out its first flight in a configuration intended for the Chinese Air Force, marking another milestone in China’s military aviation program.
The aircraft, observed during testing at the manufacturer’s airfield, reinforces the country’s plans to expand its fleet of fifth-generation fighters for land- and sea-based operations.
The main difference between the land-based and naval versions of the J-35 lies in the nose landing gear: while the carrier-based variant features dual wheels and catapult launch systems, the Air Force version uses a single wheel and lacks equipment for aircraft carrier operations. The model is seen as a complement to the J-20 and as a partial replacement for the carrier-based J-15 fighters.
Derived from the FC-31 project, the J-35 is designed to become a mass-produced multirole fighter, with an expected service life extending into the 2040s and 2050s.
Following its first flight in 2021 and its official entry into service in 2025, the model is consolidating its position as one of China’s key bets for the future of its combat aviation.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @RupprechtDeino | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
Even if clearly NOT naval J-35 but Air Force J-35A, these two images were mixed in-between those of the images showing the two naval J-35 making their first flight today! pic.twitter.com/qSrMVNlghN
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) January 6, 2026
