Is China’s New Stealth Fighter Jet Ready for Combat?

Peter Suciu

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The second domestically built flattop is the first PLAN carrier to be outfitted with electromagnetic catapults, which can enable the launch of heavier aircraft with higher payloads. The warship has been undergoing sea trials and is expected to enter service later this year.

The presence of shark markings, which also appear on the J-15, indicates that the J-35s are already in service with the PLAN.

The recent viral photos, which circulated on the Weibo platform last weekend, showed two PLAN F-35s flying in close formation, with the official serial numbers “0011” and “0012.” Chinese military aviation researcher Rupprecht Deino reposted one of the images on X.

This is not the first time that Beijing has offered teasers of its military hardware, notably its advanced aircraft. Just a week before last November’s 15th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, the Ministry of National Defense shared an image of the twin-engine, all-weather J-35, likely to build hype for the air show.

The Chinese military often created high-quality content that is shared on platforms including Xiaohongshu (REDBOOK), Douyin (TikTok), and Weibo. Posting to those platforms allows Beijing to control the narrative and closely monitor any negative commentary.

In addition, the People’s Republic of China has been quick to shoot down the military hardware of other nations. In the run-up to the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, Chinese social media users responded negatively 

to the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name: Felon). The criticism went viral, which helped cast the spotlight on the J-35 just as it made its official debut at the air show. The posts further put greater attention on the Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon.

More recently, Beijing unleashed a propaganda “disinformation” campaign against the Dassault Rafale, claiming the French-made omni-role aircraft significantly underperformed during the recent flare-up between India and Pakistan. Paris has accused China of trying to “hammer the reputation and sales of France’s flagship fighter.”