In the course of yesterday morning, open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources published images in which two J-35A fighters developed by Shenyang can be seen flying in formation alongside a J-20 fighter of the Chinese Air Force, indicating a possible limited induction of this type of aircraft into the service. This development, in turn, would suggest that the Air Force’s fighters were delivered earlier than the platforms intended to equip the Chinese Navy, which is still awaiting the arrival of its first units in the naval variant in order to integrate them into its aircraft carriers.
In particular, the recently published images have begun to spark speculation that these may be rehearsals for the upcoming major Chinese military parade, where the country could once again showcase its new platform to the public—the first time being at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow. Specifically, this refers to the parade scheduled for next September 3, a date on which celebrations will be held to commemorate a new anniversary of the end of the Second World War, as recently stated by Chinese President Xi Jinping to his Belarusian counterpart.
On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that the first J-35As of the Chinese Air Force are shown in the air just a few days after Pakistan announced that it would proceed with the acquisition of 40 of these aircraft, which would allow it to reinforce its combat capabilities, which until now were made up of J-10CE and JF-17 fighters—whose design is also attributed to the Asian Giant. In this way, the force becomes the first foreign customer of the new fifth-generation aircraft, with it also being reported that its first batch of pilots has already departed for Chinese territory to begin training with these platforms.
It is also important to note that there is a strong defense relationship between the two countries, so it would not be surprising if the Chinese J-35As are seen in the air as a sign that the platform is already operational in the PLA Air Force. This is a relevant matter, considering that it helps dispel the existing doubts regarding Pakistan’s purchase of the aircraft before China had incorporated them into its own fleets—something that had raised suspicions among Western analysts in the weeks prior to the confirmation of the decision by the Pakistani government itself.
*Image credits to whom it may concern
You may also like: China seeks to equip the Pakistan Air Force with its new Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft
