300 KM range, can carry six missiles stealthily, deadlier than US’s F-22, China debuts its most powerful weapon, it is…
In view of the rising regional tensions and strategic competition, China is expanding its arsenal. Recently, China held a military parade in its capital, Beijing, on September 3, where it showcased its latest developments in anti-ship missiles, combat drones, and ballistic missiles. The J-35 carrier-based stealth fighter jet is in the headlines for its missile capabilities.
What makes the J-35 deadlier than the U.S. F-22?
A Chinese state-run program on CCTV has reportedly demonstrated that this jet is capable of carrying six advanced air-to-air missiles simultaneously in its internal weapons bay. That puts it on par with America’s advanced F-22 Raptor. This indicates China is now preparing to confront the globe’s big-time military powers directly. Video shown in the program featured the J-35 with folded wings, an internal missile bay, and a tailhook. Its design makes it not only stealthy (low observability) but also able to operate from aircraft carriers.
What is the operational range of the J-35, and why is it significant?
It was disclosed that the J-35 could be armed with PL-15 beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles, which have an estimated effective range out to 200-300 kilometers. This is the same missile family wherein the export version PL-15E was reportedly used by Pakistan in 2023 in a not-very-successful attempt to engage an Indian Rafale aircraft.
What are the features of the J-35?
As per J-35 designer Zhang Zhonghao, the jet is designed to detect the enemy first and strike first at a distance. In other words, it is designed for “one-way transparency” on the battlefield, to maximize the pilot’s survival and kill probabilities. While the stealth characteristic of the jet is highly impressive, the designer says that it also has dogfighting capability. This means that it is dangerous when used at long range, and can destroy an enemy in close-quarters battles.
The J-35 can be launched by catapult or ski-jump, which means it is capable of operations from all three Chinese aircraft carriers, Fujian, Shandong, and Liaoning. The naval version has folding wings, larger stabilizers, and an arresting hook, while the Air Force version (the J-35A) has a side-stick controller with a lightweight emphasis. The naval and air force versions are planned to be developed together with a focus on increasing cross-service joint operations.
Experts have said that the J-35’s capability of carrying six missiles in its internal bay clearly challenges the capabilities of the U.S. F-22. China sees this jet as a key component of its plan to transition from “Near-Seas Defence” to “Far-Seas Protection.” For the PLA Navy, the J-35 is not just a fighter, but a strategy-changing strategic asset that may potentially raise concerns for the U.S. and its allies in the Indo-Pacific.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- The J-35 can be launched by catapult or ski-jump.
- It is capable of operations from all three Chinese aircraft carriers, Fujian, Shandong, and Liaoning.
- It was disclosed that the J-35 could be armed with PL-15 beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles.
- The naval version has folding wings, larger stabilizers, and an arresting hook.
According to the designers from the Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute, the variants are built to operate in the same network (J-35 and J-35A), fire the same weapons, and share the same data link. Not only does this cut the timelines for operations, but it also enables capability in multi-theater Joint Operations.
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