China appears to have integrated its J-35 stealth fighter, also known as the “Cloud Dragon,” into the air wing of the Fujian aircraft carrier. The Fujian is equipped with an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), allowing aircraft to launch with heavier takeoff weights. The J-35 represents the latest addition to China’s carrier-based fifth-generation fighter fleet. China already operates the land-based J-20 and its variants, making it one of only two countries to develop two distinct fifth-generation fighter families in parallel. The J-35 is expected to be cheaper to produce than the larger J-20 while remaining a highly capable platform. It is also expected to carry China’s latest long-range air-to-air missiles, including the PL-16, which has reportedly been designed to achieve a range exceeding 300 kilometers, although this figure remains unverified.
China’s J-35 Could Shift the Balance of Power in the South China Sea
China’s ability to operate a modern, fifth-generation carrier-based fighter could significantly alter the balance of power in the South China Sea. The J-35, combined with the Fujian aircraft carrier’s electromagnetic launch system, extends China’s ability to project power across the region. This capability is particularly significant given China’s development of long-range air-to-air missiles, some of which are reported to exceed the range of currently fielded US counterparts. However, the United States is developing the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), which is expected to improve its long-range air combat capabilities. Although the missile’s precise performance remains classified, its reported range exceeds 200 kilometers.
