Beijing Displays New Stealth Fighter Jet at China’s Premier Air Show

The state-sponsored biennial Airshow China, which marked the 75th anniversary of China’s air forces, began on Tuesday with the unveiling of several key aerial platforms, most notably the J-35A stealth fighter. The demonstration, along with the inclusion of Russia’s most advanced fighter aircraft, highlights China’s growing military strength and its deepening ties with Moscow.

China Debuts Advanced Aircraft

China debuted several new aerial capabilities, including a new generation of stealth aircraft and more advanced missile defense systems. The airshow marked the first public demonstration of the J-35A — a land-based stealth fighter designed for air-to-air combat and surface attacks that was likely created to compete with the western F-35. The J-35A will complement China’s existing stealth fighter platform, the J-20 series, a fifth-generation aircraft which is designed to serve as a multi-purpose fighter.

China also debuted a new variant of its naval-based fighters, the J-15T, which can be launched from the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s latest catapult-equipped aircraft carrier. The airshow also included displays of several new military drones such as the Jui Tian, which is a surveillance and attack drone, and the CH-7, which is a new variant of a stealth drone. In addition, the airshow included the introduction of the HQ-19 missile defense system, which is similar to America’s currently deployed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system, and an improved naval helicopter, which will provide a new anti-submarine warfare platform.

China’s Growing Military Strength and Ties to Russia

The demonstration of these new capabilities highlights China’s steady advances towards developing military capabilities designed to challenge U.S. primacy. In development for over a decade, the J-35A will allow China to eventually operate two stealth fighter models, a capability previously possessed only by the United States. Moreover, the introduction of an improved carrier version of the J-15 fighter aircraft, which will likely possess an expanded range and improved armaments, illustrates China’s capacity to build upon prior developments to enhance its force projection.

The major airshow also demonstrates Beijing’s closeness with Moscow, whose military equipment has long been a source of design inspiration for China. With Russia displaying its most advanced fighter abroad for the first time, an event which coincided with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu’s meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the show has provided a venue for both countries to openly broadcast their growing ties.

How to Strengthen the U.S. Military’s Industrial Base

In response to these developments, the next Congress must continue to rebuild America’s military industrial base, tackling the concerns raised by the Pentagon’s 2024 National Defense Industrial Strategy with timely investments to maintain momentum and prevent bottlenecks. The new administration can join this effort by continuing Washington’s current efforts to ensure the resilience of America’s force posture in the region.

Jack Burnham is a research analyst in the China Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). For more analysis from Jack and FDD, please subscribe HERE. Follow Jack on X @JackBurnham802. Follow FDD on X @FDD. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.