J-35A Stealth Fighter Specs, Variants and What Is Actually Known

The Shenyang J-35A is China’s second stealth fighter, a twin-engine, medium-weight jet derived from the FC-31 demonstrator and publicly revealed at Airshow China in November 2024, with much of its performance still unconfirmed. It sits below the heavier J-20 in cost and size, and Chinese state media present it as both a PLA Air Force fighter and a parent design for a carrier-based version.

What is the J-35A

The J-35A is a land-based stealth fighter built by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, part of AVIC. It grew out of the company-funded FC-31 Gyrfalcon demonstrator, which first flew in 2012 and was long seen as an export-oriented rival to the F-35. The design then went through a substantial redesign, and the updated FC-31 2.0 configuration is the basis of the J-35 family.

The aircraft is meant to fill a role the larger J-20 does not: a cheaper, more numerous stealth fighter for the PLA Air Force. Beyond that, what is publicly known is thin. Most details come from imagery, Chinese state media and analysts’ inferences, and China has released few verified specifications.

J-35A specifications

J-35A vs J-20 and F-35

The J-35A is best compared with the American F-35, which is also a medium-weight stealth fighter designed to be built in quantity. The twin-engine layout gives the J-35A a redundancy advantage over the F-35’s single engine, although its overall performance and avionics maturity are unproven. For the stealth basics that shape these designs, see our guide to radar cross-section.

Against the heavier J-20, the J-35A trades range and payload for lower cost and size. Analysts expect the two to operate together, with J-20s handling long-range penetration and J-35As providing volume. The rivalry with Russia’s Su-57 is explored in our F-35 vs Su-57 comparison.

J-35 variants and the carrier version

The naval J-35 matters as much as the land-based version. Reports suggest it is intended to operate from catapult-equipped carriers such as the Fujian, which would give the PLA Navy a stealth carrier fighter years ahead of most rivals. The claims come from Chinese sources and imagery rather than independent confirmation.

Who will operate the J-35A

The PLA Air Force is the expected operator. Production numbers are unknown, and there has been no combat use. Export is a live question: media reports in 2025 suggested China had offered a batch of J-35s to Pakistan, but neither side has publicly confirmed terms, and any deal remains unconfirmed. Other buyers have been speculated, with little substantiation.

The most cautious conclusion is also the most useful: the J-35A is real, it flies, and it has been shown to the public. Whether it matches the performance implied by state-media coverage will only become clear when independent data, from exercises or exports, appears. See also our top 10 fighter jets ranking.

J-35A frequently asked questions

Is the J-35A a copy of the F-35?

Western analysts note visual similarities, but the J-35A is a twin-engine design with a different layout. Its internals remain undisclosed.

What engines does the J-35A use?

Reports suggest WS-19 engines, with WS-13 class engines on earlier prototypes, but China has not confirmed this.

Is the J-35A in service?

Chinese media suggest it is entering service with the PLA Air Force, but official confirmation of numbers and dates is limited.

Will China export the J-35A?

Reports have linked Pakistan to a possible purchase, but no terms have been confirmed by either government.

What is the difference between the J-35A and the J-20?

The J-20 is larger and longer-ranged, while the J-35A is smaller, twin-engine and intended to be cheaper and more numerous.