Fighter Aircraft
Shenyang J-35
The Shenyang J-35 is a twin-engine, single-seat fifth-generation stealth fighter built by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, part of state-owned AVIC. China’s second stealth fighter after the Chengdu J-20, it flies in a catapult-capable naval version for the carrier Fujian and as the land-based J-35A.
China|Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (AVIC)Overview
The J-35 grew out of the FC-31 Gyrfalcon, a private-venture demonstrator also called the J-31, which first flew on 31 October 2012 and was followed by an improved FC-31 V2 in December 2016. The naval J-35 flew on 29 October 2021 and the land-based J-35A on 26 September 2023. The design uses internal weapons bays, serrated panel edges and a DSI intake, and it is reported to carry an AESA radar, an electro-optical targeting system under the nose and a distributed aperture system.
Most performance data are Western estimates: a top speed of about Mach 1.8, a combat radius near 1,250 km on internal fuel and a maximum take-off weight of around 28 t. The J-35A was unveiled at Zhuhai in November 2024, and both versions flew in Beijing’s Victory Day parade on 3 September 2025. That month the PLA Navy said the J-35 had completed catapult launch and arrested recovery trials aboard Fujian. Pakistan announced plans to acquire the J-35A in June 2025, but no deliveries have been officially confirmed.
Key Specifications
Variants
Private-venture stealth demonstrator, also known as the J-31, that first flew in 2012 and was refined as the FC-31 V2 in 2016.
Naval, catapult-capable version that first flew in 2021 and has completed launch and recovery trials aboard the carrier Fujian.
Land-based version for the PLA Air Force, first flown in 2023 and publicly unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024.
Operators
ChinaFrequently Asked Questions
Is the J-35 better than the F-35?
There is no reliable way to say, because the J-35’s real performance has not been published. Both are single-seat stealth fighters of a similar size and class; the F-35 has a long operational and export record, while most J-35 figures are estimates and it has no combat history.
Is the J-35 a stealth fighter?
Yes. The J-35 is designed as a low-observable fifth-generation fighter with internal weapons bays, serrated panel edges and a DSI intake. Its actual radar cross-section has not been made public, so how stealthy it is in practice remains unknown.
Does Pakistan have the J-35?
Not according to official sources so far. Pakistan’s government said in June 2025 that it planned to acquire J-35A fighters, and press reports mentioned up to 40 aircraft, but no deliveries had been officially confirmed as of late 2026.
What is the difference between the J-35 and J-20?
The Chengdu J-20 is a larger stealth fighter built mainly for long-range air superiority, while the Shenyang J-35 is a medium-weight multirole design. The J-35 also comes in a naval version for catapult-equipped carriers, which the J-20 does not.
How much does the J-35 cost?
There is no official unit price for the J-35. Press and analyst speculation suggests it would be offered for export below the price of an F-35, but any specific figure circulating online is unconfirmed.
How fast is the J-35?
The J-35’s top speed is commonly estimated at about Mach 1.8, though China has not published official figures. Early aircraft reportedly use two WS-21 engines, while production jets are expected to switch to the more powerful WS-19.
