China’s J-35 enters mass production, Chinese Navy & Air Force to be first customers
The Chinese Shenyang J-35, China’s second 5th-gen fighter, appears to be entering mass production. The J-35 is an advanced stealth multirole fighter designed for air superiority and strike missions. …
July 11, 2025
The Chinese Shenyang J-35, China’s second 5th-gen fighter, appears to be entering mass production. The J-35 is an advanced stealth multirole fighter designed for air superiority and strike missions.
China unveils J-35 production facilities for first time
China has unveiled the production facilities of the J-35 5th-gen fighter for the first time. The Hong Kong-based English news outlet, the South China Morning Post (SCMP), reported that an interview with the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV was held in Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s assembly facility on Tuesday.
In the interview with the contractor, at least two J-35 fighter jets were spotted in a hangar. These green-painted aircraft were visible in the background as the Chinese TV anchor introduced the J-15T, an aircraft carrier-capable 4th-gen multirole fighter able to be launched by a catapult.
A test pilot, called Li Guoen, explained the J-15T had been upgraded from the J-15 with thicker struts, a catapult tow bar, and dual-wheel landing gear. This is a significant development as China is quickly growing its carrier fleet. Its third aircraft carrier, the Type 003 Fujian, is equipped with electromagnetic catapults and is undergoing sea trials.
But while the interview centered on the J-15T, it was the J-35 that caught the attention of many outside observers. This was the first time J-35 production facilities had been shown publicly, with the SCMP reporting “it was an indication that the aircraft was in mass production.”
Development of J-35 fighter
The Shenyang J-35 is a derivative of the earlier FC-31 fighter. The FC-31 is believed to have been developed for the Chinese Air Force (technicially the People’s Liberation Army Air Force or PLAAF) but lost to the larger Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon in the 2010s.
The Chengdu J-20 has been in high-rate production for years and is now China’s leading long-range 5th-gen fighter. Like the US F-22 Raptor, China is known to have an export ban on the fighter.
After losing the contract, Shenyang is believed to have persevered with its FC-31 design, creating a catapult-assisted takeoff (CATOBAR) for the Chinese Navy (People’s Liberation Army Navy or PLAN). Shenyang also developed it with an eye for export.
The land-based variant of the fighter, called the J-35A, made its official debut in November 2024, ahead of the Chinese International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition. Previously, some analysts had called it the J-31 before China officially designated it the J-35.
High-definition, close-up image of China’s J-35 fifth generation stealth fighter in service: pic.twitter.com/m8WnoSBqiw
— The STRATCOM Bureau (@OSPSF) July 11, 2025
Many were quick to observe the striking similarities between the J-35 and the US F-35. It would appear that even the naming of the jet could be a Chinese nod to design inspiration from the F-35.
While Chinese engineers may have drawn from the F-35, it is not a copy. For example, the J-35 is twin-engined and the F-35 is single-engined.
J-35 exports and customers
With the Chinese Air Force focused on the rival Chengdu J-20, Shenyang had to look for other customers for its jet. It appears Shenyang was able to re-attract the Chinese Air Force’s attention as it is now also expected to purchase the J-35A.
In February 2024, a full-size mockup of a naval variant of the J-35 was seen on China’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning. This suggests the Chinese Navy plans to use them on both its older ski-jump (STOBAR) carriers and its new electromagnetic catapult-equipped carriers.
J-35 sn 3506 makes another appearance with interesting engines 👀
— Húrin (@Hurin92) July 6, 2025
WS19 Finally ? https://t.co/eMQVHKnF7D pic.twitter.com/BvH962gGjO
Pakistan is widely reported to have been the first export customer offered the J-35 at a steeply discounted price. Pakistan already operated Chinese fighters like the J-10CE and the jointly produced JF-17 Thunder.
Janes reported in June 2025 that Pakistan plans to acquire 30-40 J-35s (called FC-31s in the article). However, this was then denied by Pakistan. The Economic Times reported Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif as saying this was just rumours in the media, and it had not made a deal to purchase the jet.
It’s unclear what other countries would be interested in purchasing the J-35. Egypt and the UAE have recently touted purchasing Chinese jets, while Iran is actively looking for fighter jets from anyone willing to sell them.
