According to Reuters, the J-35A stealth fighter will make its first public appearance and perform a demonstration flight at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, which will last from November 12 to 17 in Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province.
Before the exhibition took place, Chinese media reported that the J-35A can both fight in the air and attack ground targets.
According to Colonel Niu Wenbo of the Chinese Air Force Equipment Department, the J-35A is a medium-range stealth fighter and is capable of taking on many different roles.
Although it was developed based on the J-31 fighter jet, very little information about the equipment of the military equipment has been revealed. Therefore, military analysts say it is difficult to evaluate the performance and stealth capabilities of the J-35A.
Dr. Collin Koh of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore said that the capabilities of the J-35A should not be underestimated because Chinese scientists have spent many years researching advanced technologies related to fighter aircraft.
In terms of appearance, the J-35A has many similarities with the US F-35 stealth fighter, from the fuselage to the control panel. However, it is still unclear whether the J-35A is equipped with coatings and radar-absorbing materials like the F-35.
In some rumors, the J-35A will be equipped with the WS-19 jet engine - an upgraded version of the WS-13 engine used by the J-31.
Experts say China has struggled to develop high-performance engines and has relied on Russian technology for its first domestically produced fighter jets. Engine technology is crucial, with higher performance meaning planes can fly farther, higher and carry more weapons.
However, Mr. Peter Layton - defense and aviation expert at the Giffin Asia Institute - said that information about the J-35A's engine is still a mystery and the shape of the airframe can only be certain after the exhibition.
The J-35A variant designed for use with China's aircraft carriers will also be present at the upcoming exhibition.
Security analysts are closely watching the development of J-35 variants as they are a key component of Beijing's aircraft carrier program.
Currently, all three Chinese aircraft carriers are still in the process of training and development and have not yet carried out any operations outside the East Asian sea area. However, experts believe that even one successful J-35 variant will significantly increase the strength of the Chinese navy.
