Aviation

China Set to Debut New J-35A Stealth Fighter at Zhuhai Airshow

Next week, China will unveil its latest stealth fighter, the J-35A, at Zhuhai Airshow. This much-anticipated debut highlights China’s ongoing ambition to strengthen its military capabilities and match U.S. air power, especially within Asia.

Scheduled for November 12-17, the airshow is expected to showcase major advancements in Chinese military aviation, including the J-35A—a new addition to China’s expanding lineup of fifth-generation fighter jets.

This unveiling marks a milestone for China as it becomes the second country, after the United States, to field two distinct fifth-generation stealth fighters. The J-35A is anticipated to complement china jets existing Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter, demonstrating China’s progress toward a high-tech, self-reliant defense industry.

The U.S. currently operates the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, and China’s J-35A will likely be a direct competitor, aligning with Beijing’s aspirations for technological parity with the West.

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The airshow comes at a symbolic time, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of both the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the establishment of the PLA Air Force on November 11. As such, the J-35A’s debut represents not only a technical achievement but also a celebration of China’s growing military influence.

Reportedly, the J-35A could be the first in a series of fighters for the PLA, with potential for carrier-based operations. Its compatibility with China’s aircraft carriers would add considerable strength to the nation’s military reach by enhancing both aerial and naval combat capabilities.

Additionally, the J-35A is seen as a future replacement for China’s aging J-10 and J-11 aircraft, alongside the FC-31. When deployed together with the J-20, the FC-31 will likely offer a potent combination in China’s air defense strategy, solidifying its status as a major player in military aviation.

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China is moving steadily toward its goal of producing indigenous, high-quality military equipment that can rival U.S. and Russian platforms.

This unveiling reinforces China’s position in the competitive landscape of fifth-generation fighters and underlines its determination to be a leading power in both defense technology and strategic military capability.

Aviation

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

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The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

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China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.