The mass production of China’s J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, unveiled at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, represents a pivotal development in global security dynamics. Designed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the J-35A’s “air-sea twin configuration” and “one aircraft, multiple variants” approach enable cost-effective scalability and versatile deployment. Amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly the Israel-Iran conflict, and shifting regional power balances, the J-35A’s production has far-reaching implications.
China’s Strategic and Industrial Advantages
Bolstering PLA Capabilities Amid Global Tensions
The J-35A significantly enhances the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force (PLAAF) and Navy (PLAN) capabilities, positioning China as a formidable player in a volatile global security environment. With advanced stealth, a combat radius of 1,500 km, and integration of PL-17 missiles (400 km range), the J-35A complements the J-20, enabling China to project power in contested regions like the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. Its carrier-based variant, deployable on the Fujian carrier, strengthens China’s naval presence, critical as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks falter and Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities escalate tensions. The PLA’s acquisition of initial J-35A units, reported by Janes in June 2025, underscores China’s intent to counter U.S. and allied air superiority, particularly as the U.S. repositions forces in the Middle East to deter Iranian retaliation.
Mass production, driven by SAC’s use of 3D printing and modular designs, reduces costs and enhances logistical efficiency. Chief designer Wang Yongqing emphasized to Global Times that shared avionics across variants lowers maintenance expenses, enabling a substantial fleet size. This scalability is vital as China navigates a complex security landscape, with Iran’s threats to U.S. bases and shipping in the Persian Gulf raising concerns about regional stability. The J-35A’s role as a “point guard” in networked combat enhances China’s ability to coordinate joint operations, countering U.S. and allied strategies in the Indo-Pacific.
Elevating China’s Defense Industry
The J-35A’s mass production cements China’s aerospace ambitions, challenging the U.S. F-35 program’s dominance. Priced at an estimated $40–50 million per unit compared to the F-35’s $80 million, the J-35A appeals to nations restricted by Western sanctions or budgets. Its planned showcase at the 2025 Paris Air Show signals China’s intent to expand its arms export market, particularly as global attention focuses on Middle Eastern conflicts. However, allegations of reverse-engineered F-35 technology, linked to a 2016 U.S. hacking case, and a 2025 Chinese researcher’s sentencing for leaking J-35A data, raise concerns about intellectual property and security, potentially deterring some buyers.
Pakistan’s Airpower Boost Against India
Pakistan, the first confirmed export customer, benefits significantly from the J-35A’s mass production, with deliveries of 30–40 jets expected by mid-2026. The PAF’s acquisition, facilitated by a reported 50% discount and Chinese financing, counters India’s air superiority, particularly as India lacks a fifth-generation fighter until the AMCA’s projected 2035 debut. The J-35A’s stealth, AESA radar, and PL-17 missiles enable Pakistan to target India’s AWACS and air defenses, potentially shifting the South Asian balance. Posts on X suggest the J-35A could “bypass India’s S-400” and conduct deep strikes, though an Indian Air Force official downplayed its impact, citing Pakistan’s limited fleet size (12–24 units).
Pakistan’s economic dependence on China, reinforced by the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), ensures long-term reliance on Chinese support for training and maintenance. This partnership is critical as Pakistan navigates regional instability, with Iran’s threats to U.S. bases in Iraq and the Gulf raising concerns about spillover effects. However, integration challenges, similar to those with the JF-17’s RD-93 engines, and Pakistan’s economic fragility could limit operational effectiveness.
Testing Ground for Chinese Technology
Pakistan serves as a testing ground for the J-35A, allowing China to validate its unproven systems against India’s advanced defenses without risking PLAAF assets. Successful operations could enhance the J-35A’s export appeal, while failures provide data for refinement, strengthening China-Pakistan military ties in a region wary of Iran’s escalating rhetoric.
Potential Global Buyers
The J-35A’s affordability and lack of Western export restrictions make it attractive to nations seeking advanced airpower amid global tensions. Potential buyers include:
1. Middle Eastern Nations
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Iran: With Israel’s June 2025 strikes on Natanz and Fordow exposing Iran’s air defense vulnerabilities, the J-35A offers a means to modernize its aging fleet. Iran’s interest in Chinese arms, evidenced by past Shahed drone purchases, aligns with its need to counter Israeli and U.S. threats. However, China’s ties with Saudi Arabia may limit sales.
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Egypt: Facing regional threats and restricted access to F-35s, Egypt could use the J-35A for air superiority and precision strikes, leveraging China’s flexible financing.
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Algeria: A long-time buyer of Chinese and Russian arms, Algeria could adopt the J-35A to counter Morocco’s F-16s, enhancing its regional influence.
2. African and Southeast Asian Nations
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Nigeria: The J-35A’s precision strike capabilities could bolster Nigeria’s counterinsurgency efforts, with China’s pricing aligning with its budget constraints.
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Bangladesh: Exploring Chinese J-10s, Bangladesh may consider the J-35A to counter India’s growing airpower, especially as South Asian tensions rise.
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Myanmar: As a Chinese ally, Myanmar could acquire the J-35A to modernize its air force, though political instability may delay purchases.
These nations benefit from the J-35A’s cost-effectiveness and autonomy from Western controls, enabling them to address regional threats or internal challenges. Iran’s potential acquisition, in particular, could escalate Middle Eastern tensions, given its threats to retaliate against Israel with ballistic missiles.
Reshaping the Arms Market
The J-35A’s mass production challenges the F-35’s $325.1 billion program, targeting sanctioned or budget-constrained nations. As Israel’s strikes on Iran and the U.S.’s partial evacuation from Iraq highlight Middle Eastern volatility, China’s arms exports could erode U.S. influence in regions like Africa and Southeast Asia. The J-35A’s affordability and performance make it a viable alternative, though concerns about reliability and Chinese maintenance support persist.
South Asian Arms Race
Pakistan’s J-35A acquisition escalates tensions with India, which is accelerating its AMCA program and exploring F-35 or Su-57 purchases. The J-35A’s ability to target high-value assets like AWACS threatens India’s air defenses, potentially diverting resources from economic development. This dynamic unfolds against the backdrop of Iran’s threats to U.S. bases, complicating South Asia’s security calculus.
Indo-Pacific and Middle Eastern Implications
The J-35A’s carrier-based variant strengthens China’s naval reach, challenging U.S. allies like Japan and Australia, all F-35 operators. As Iran threatens maritime shipping in the Persian Gulf, China’s growing presence could embolden its regional ambitions, prompting increased AUKUS cooperation. In the Middle East, Iran’s potential J-35A acquisition could counter Israel’s air superiority, escalating the conflict as Netanyahu vows to prevent Iran’s nuclear ambitions “one way or another.”
Economic and Technological Ripple Effects
China’s advanced manufacturing, leveraging 3D printing, pressures Western firms to innovate or cut costs. However, the J-35A’s untested engines and systems risk operational setbacks, as seen with the JF-17. The 2025 data leak incident underscores security vulnerabilities, potentially deterring buyers amid heightened global scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear program.
Challenges and Risks
Geopolitical Tensions
China’s export strategy risks backlash from the U.S. and India, especially as Israel’s actions against Iran heighten global tensions. U.S. sanctions on Chinese firms could intensify, while India’s potential F-35 acquisition could escalate the regional arms race.
Iran’s Role and Middle Eastern Volatility
Iran’s interest in the J-35A, driven by Israel’s strikes and weakened air defenses, could destabilize the Middle East further. Iran’s threats to target U.S. bases and Israel’s nuclear facilities, coupled with its rejection of U.S. nuclear proposals, heighten the risk of a broader conflict, where the J-35A could play a pivotal role.
Mass production
The mass production of the J-35A benefits China by enhancing its military and industrial standing, Pakistan by providing a strategic edge against India, and potential buyers like Iran, Egypt, and Nigeria by offering affordable, advanced airpower. In June 2025, as Israel’s strikes on Iran and faltering U.S.-Iran nuclear talks dominate global security concerns, the J-35A’s proliferation reshapes arms markets and regional dynamics. However, operational uncertainties, geopolitical risks, and Iran’s potential acquisition underscore the complex implications of China’s aerospace ambitions in a tense world.
