Serial production of the new J-35 stealth fighter for the Chinese Navy and Air Force advances

Images recently released by open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources show new flight tests of the fifth-generation Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter, in versions intended for both the Navy and the Air Force of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The material, published yesterday, reinforces indications that the program is at an advanced stage and that serial production of the aircraft continues to progress.

The images show aircraft conducting flight trials, a key step in the operational validation process prior to their formal introduction into combat units. The presence of differentiated airframes for naval aviation and the air force suggests that J-35 development is advancing in parallel for both PLA components.

These new indicators add to known precedents dating back to mid-2025. In July of that year, Chinese state television aired a recorded report in which, indirectly, the first images of the J-35 serial production line were observed. During a program primarily focused on the manufacturing of J-15 carrier-based fighters, at least one J-35 airframe could be seen in the background at an advanced stage of assembly.

In those images, the aircraft appeared to be equipped with what looked like an arresting hook on the rear section, a characteristic feature of aircraft designed for carrier operations. This detail reinforced the hypothesis that China is moving forward with the integration of the J-35 as the future carrier-based stealth fighter of its naval aviation.

The appearance of the J-35 in that report was quickly noted by OSINT analysts, who debated on social media whether it was an accidental leak or a deliberate message. In the CCTV report, both the journalist and the engineers guiding the visit made no reference to the new fighter and focused exclusively on the J-15. However, several observers considered it unlikely that an aircraft of this nature would be exposed to cameras by mere oversight.

It is worth noting that China rarely publicly showcases details of the industrial processes associated with its fifth-generation fighter programs. This low-profile approach has been applied to both the J-35 and the J-20 currently in service. In this context, the release of images from the production line was interpreted as a sign that the J-35’s development may be more advanced than previously estimated, although Chinese authorities have not issued official confirmations.

Another relevant precedent occurred in September 2025, during a static exhibition where a scale model of the Shenyang J-35 was presented alongside various weapon systems. The display took place at the Air Force Open Day and the Changchun Air Show, held in Jilin Province in northeastern China.

The model was displayed at a booth of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China and was accompanied by a set of missiles that the J-35 could employ in service. Among them were LD-8A anti-radiation missiles, as well as air-to-air missiles such as the PL-10E, PL-15E, and PL-12AE.

The inclusion of the LD-8A missiles drew particular attention, as it suggests that the J-35 would be prepared to carry out electronic warfare and suppression of enemy air defenses missions. These missiles are designed to detect and track radar emissions, guiding their warhead toward the radiation source in order to neutralize it.

According to information published by local media, the LD-8A’s design reportedly shows aerodynamic and dimensional similarities to the PL-15E missile, which would indicate a possible derivative development of the latter. The ability to employ this type of weaponry is especially relevant in modern combat scenarios, where radar systems form a central part of ground-based air defense networks protecting strategic infrastructure.

Taken together, the recent flight tests detected by OSINT sources, the earlier images of the production line, and the display of weaponry associated with the program point to steady progress of the J-35. In addition, takeoffs and landings have already been carried out on the decks of the aircraft carrier Fujian. Although China has not made official announcements regarding the aircraft’s entry-into-service timeline, the available indicators show that the new stealth fighter is on track to become a central component of the PLA’s naval and air aviation in the coming years.

*Image credits to the respective owners.

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