China Unveils Its Second 5th-Gen Fighter, Looks Exactly Like This US Jet

China is the second country in the world after the United States to have more than one fifth-generation fighter jet, and its second fifth-generation stealth fighter jet is making its debut at its biggest air show, taking centre stage.

The Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter is a twin-engine, single-seater supersonic jet developed for multirole missions. The J-35 is China’s second fifth-generation fighter, following the J-20.

With the exception of the J-35’s twin engines and the US Lockheed Martin F-35’s single engine, the two aircraft have similar designs. China is notorious for stealing the designs of many aircraft. The Chengdu J-10, also called the “Vigorous Dragon,” is similar to the US F-16, and the J-20 and the US F-22 Raptor are similar except for the J-20’s canards.

In a report, the Chinese Communist Party’s mouthpiece, Global Times, stated that “The aircraft could enhance the country’s integrated combat capabilities.”

“J-35A operates in both counter-stealth and stealth combat environments. Gaining and preserving air superiority, destroying adversarial fourth and fifth generation fighter jets and ground/surface air defence forces, and intercepting aerial hostile targets such as fighters, bombers, and cruise missiles are the main objectives of its mission, according to the statement.

Like the US F-35, which comes in three versions—the F-35A for the Air Force, the F-35B for the Marine Corps, and the F-35C for the US Navy—China intends to integrate the aircraft into both the Air Force and the Navy.

The F-35A can fly from an Air Force runway, the F-35B can hover and land vertically on Marine Corps amphibious assault ships, and the US Navy uses the F-35C, which has a wide wingspan, to land aircraft carriers.

Earlier this year, China’s largest and heaviest aircraft carrier, Fujian, was out for sea trials. The most powerful aircraft launch system, known as the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), is found on the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest operational aircraft carrier in the world. The conventionally powered aircraft carrier weighs more than 80,000 tonnes.

China's stealth fifth-generation fighter jet: J-20 "Mighty Dragon"

It roars at the end. pic.twitter.com/Sb23rOBxUE

— War Intel (@warintel4u) May 11, 2024

“China may be developing a carrier-capable variant of its FC-31/J-31 fifth-generation stealth fighter to complement or succeed the J-15 on catapult-equipped PLA carriers,” the US Department of Defence stated in a report on China’s naval modernisation and its ramifications. According to reports, China is also creating stealth drone aircraft and a carrier-based airborne early warning (NAEW) aircraft, the KJ-600, which is comparable to the U.S. Navy’s carrier-based E-2 Hawkeye AEW aircraft.

According to reports, the J-35 is a lighter J-20. The two aircraft’s combat capabilities are still unknown, though.

The development of the J-35 fighter jet suggests that China is mirroring the US and aims to combat the latter in the Indo-Pacific. The J-35 appears to be prepared for deployment based on its inclusion in the air show.

Recently, the US deployed its new long-range air-to-air missile that could potentially disrupt the balance of power in the region.  As seen in numerous photos, the AIM-174B missile aboard the US Navy’s F-18 Super Hornet has an operational range of roughly 400 kilometres.

The Air Show is Other Attractions

China also debuted the world’s first twin-seat stealth aircraft at the Zhuhai air show. After several years of development, the J-20s made their debut at the air show. “Heavy-duty radar-evading fighter jet with long-range operation and multifunction capabilities” is how China describes the aircraft.

During the air show, the J-20 fighter jets flew in a diamond formation. The event also featured the Russian Su-57, a fifth-generation fighter jet.

For the first time, the airshow will have a dedicated drone zone. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has demonstrated to the world the increasing use of drones in combat and Kyiv’s extensive use of them to offset Russia’s military superiority.

China unveiled its ‘Killer Whale‘ ship ahead of the largest air show. The unmanned vessel, which is powered by both diesel and electricity, is equipped with a variety of weapons, including ship-to-air missiles, rockets, and anti-ship missiles. Additionally, it has a helipad where helicopters can land and take off.

China’s Killer Whale is not the nation’s first unmanned surface craft. The US Navy deployed four unmanned ships for the first time earlier this year, spending more than four months at sea in the Pacific. In August 2023, the unmanned surface ships, Sea Hunter, Sea Hawk, Mariner, and Ranger, left Southern California and arrived back in January 2024.

The AMCA Programme in India

The head of the Defence Research and Development Organisation stated that the induction of India’s 5.5-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, which will be stealth capable, is anticipated by 2035. The 4.5-generation multi-role Rafale fighter jet, the Air Force’s most recent addition, is stationed in the northern regions of Ambala, Haryana, and Hashimara, Assam.

Experts have concluded that in the event of a conflict, independent weapon systems such as surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missiles, and air defence systems will be crucial for the Indian Air Force to fight and outmanoeuvre the Chinese, even though China has placed the J-20 fighter jets near the Line of Actual Control.

Watch: ‘India To Induct 5.5-Gen Stealth Fighter Jet AMCA By 2035: DRDO Chairman

During the Tarang Shakti exercise in Sulur, Tamil Nadu, in August, DRDO demonstrated 40 advanced systems and technologies that were developed in-house at the International Defence Aviation Exposition IDAX 2024. India’s first 5.5-generation stealth aircraft, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), will be introduced by 2035, according to Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). India is one of the very few countries that has developed stealth aircraft, he added.