Unverified reports circulating on X suggest that China has begun delivering two variants of its fifth-generation J-35 stealth fighter to pakistan

Defence affairs

According to these posts, one variant is designed for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force [PLAAF], while another is tailored for carrier-based operations with the People’s Liberation Army Navy [PLAN].

These claims, which lack official confirmation from Chinese authorities or international observers, have sparked intense speculation about China’s ambitions to project power, particularly in contested maritime regions like the South China Sea. As global attention turns to these unverified reports, questions arise about their authenticity and what they could mean for the balance of military power in the Indo-Pacific.

The J-35 reportedly evolved from the FC-31 demonstrator first unveiled over a decade ago, represents China’s latest effort to field a stealth fighter capable of rivaling advanced Western aircraft like the U.S. F-35.

The land-based J-35A, intended for the PLAAF, is said to feature a single nose wheel, a revised wing planform optimized for aerodynamic performance, and compatibility with conventional runways. Its design suggests a multirole platform, potentially capable of air superiority, ground attack, and electronic warfare missions.

The carrier-based variant, simply referred to as the J-35, is reportedly equipped for catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery [CATOBAR] operations, with folding wings, a launch bar, and a tailhook to support deployments on China’s Type 003 aircraft carrier, the Fujian.

Both variants are believed to be powered by either the WS-13E or the more advanced WS-19 turbofan engines, reflecting China’s push to develop indigenous propulsion systems. While these details paint a picture of a sophisticated warplane, the absence of official data leaves much to speculation.

China’s pursuit of a fifth-generation fighter is not new. The PLAAF’s J-20, introduced in 2017, was the country’s first operational stealth aircraft, designed to counter U.S. air superiority platforms like the F-22 Raptor.