Nov 6 2024, 04:56 PM, updated 2y ago
China’s second class of fifth generation fighter the Shenyang J-35A has officially been revealed preceding the upcoming Zhuhai Airshow, where the aircraft is schedule to make its debut. With the first official photo of the fighter released on November 5, the aircraft represents a ground based derivative of the FC-31 design that has long been under development. Images clearly show an electro-optical targeting system mounted under the nose and a wide angle heads up display in the cockpit, with the fighter thought to integrate world leading avionics comparable to those of the J-20 fighter currently serving in China’s air force. In parallel to the development of a separate carrier based derivative of the FC-31, the land based J-35 is widely thought to have been developed for export, with Pakistan reported to have already entered talks to make a purchase while Algeria, Thailand and Saudi Arabia are expected to be among the most interested parties. The fighter is notably not expected to be acquired domestically, with the heavier and more complex J-20 set to continue to be acquired on a tremendous scale for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
China is one of just two countries to field full regiments of indigenous fifth generation fighters, alongside the United States, with the FC-31 being the country’s second fighter from the new generation - following on from J-20 which entered service in 2017. The program’s export prospects benefit from the considerable prestige which the J-20 program has given the Chinese fighter aviation industry. The aircraft has promising prospects to emerge as the most attractive on global export markets, with a higher degree of sophistication including far superior stealth capabilities and avionics compared to the Russian Su-57 and the upcoming South Korean KF-21. The fighter also boasts a far superior range and flight performance to the American F-35, while being considered less problematic, and having far less restrictions and political conditions imposed on its use. It is notable that a new office was established in February 2022 specifically for the purpose of promoting the new stealth fighter on foreign markets, with the aircraft providing a much higher end counterpart to China’s JF-17 Block 3 and J-10C lightweight fighters for clients seeking a world leading combat jet. Based on what is known of China’s fighter aviation industry from the J-20 program, although being less capable than the J-20 the FC-31 is likely to still be the world’s most capable fighter available on export markets, with only the F-35A having a serous chance of rivalling its capabilities.
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