China’s Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter jet, the second fifth-generation fighter developed by the country, is set to debut at its largest air show. The twin-engine, single-seater supersonic jet is designed for multirole missions and is similar to the US Lockheed Martin F-35, with the former being twin-engine and the latter having one engine. China is known for copying the design of several aircraft, including the J-20 and the US F-22 Raptor.
The Chengdu J-10, also known as the “Vigorous Dragon,” is similar to the US F-16. The aircraft could enhance China’s integrated combat capabilities, focusing on gaining and maintaining air superiority, eliminating hostile fourth/fifth generation fighter jets and ground/surface air defense forces, and intercepting aerial hostile targets.
China plans to induct the aircraft into the Air Force and Navy, similar to the US F-35, which has three variants: F-35A for the Air Force, F-35B for the Marine Corps, and F-35C for the US Navy. The F-35A can take off from an Air Force runway, the F-35B can hover and vertically land on amphibious attack ships of the Marine Corps, and the F-35C is used for aircraft carrier landings by the US Navy.
Fujian, China’s largest and heaviest aircraft carrier, was out for sea trials earlier this year. The US Department of Defence reported that China may be developing a carrier-capable variant of its FC-31/J-31 fifth-generation stealth fighter to complement or succeed the J-15 on catapult-equipped PLA carriers. China is also developing a carrier-based airborne early warning (NAEW) aircraft, called the KJ-600, similar to the U.S. Navy’s carrier-based E-2 Hawkeye AEW aircraft and stealth drone aircraft.
The development of the J-35 fighter jet suggests China mirroring the US and aims to combat the latter in the Indo-Pacific. The inclusion of the J-35 at the air show suggests that it is ready for deployment.
The Russia-Ukraine war has highlighted the growing importance of drones on the battlefield, with Kyiv using them to counter military asymmetry. China unveiled its ‘Killer Whale’ ship, an unmanned dual diesel and electric propulsion ship capable of carrying various weapons and allowing chopper take-off and landing. The US Navy completed its first deployment of four unmanned ships in the Pacific, Sea Hunter, Sea Hawk, Mariner, and Ranger, in August 2023 and returned in January 2024.
India is developing its 5.5-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) with stealth capabilities, with the induction expected by 2035. The latest induction, the Rafale fighter jet, is a 4.5-generation multi-role aircraft deployed in Ambala, Haryana, and Hashimara in Assam. Experts believe that standalone weapon systems like surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missiles, and air defense systems will play a significant role in combating and outmanoeuvring China.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased 40 indigenously developed advanced systems and technologies at the International Defence Aviation Exposition IDAX 2024. The Chairman of the DRDO, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, announced that India’s first 5.5-generation stealth aircraft will be inducted by 2035, making it among the few nations to develop stealth aircraft.
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Source: NDTV
