China's J-35 Stealth Fighter May Soon Operate From All Three Aircraft Carriers
Quick Look
- China's J-35 stealth fighter may soon be operational on all three of its aircraft carriers, a development that experts say would significantly enhance the PLA Navy's combat capabilities.
- Currently, only the most advanced carrier, the Fujian, can host the J-35 due to its electromagnetic catapult system.
- However, recent state media hints suggest upgrades to the Liaoning and Shandong carriers may allow them to operate the J-35.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
China's most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, is currently the only vessel capable of operating the J-35 stealth fighter due to its electromagnetic catapult system. The older Liaoning and Shandong carriers use a ski-jump deck for launching fighters.
All three of China’s aircraft carriers could soon be able to operate the country’s J-35 stealth fighter, which Chinese experts say would “significantly” bolster the PLA Navy’s combat abilities.
Currently, only China’s most advanced carrier, the Fujian, can host the J-35 as it has an electromagnetic catapult to assist the fifth-generation fighter into the air.
The Liaoning and Shandong carriers launch J-15 fighters from an upwardly curved “ski-jump” deck.
However, there are signs that the two older vessels are being upgraded.
“The Liaoning is training in the western Pacific, could the J-35 be on board?” the military channel of Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said in a social media post on Wednesday.
China does not usually announce military developments while they are still in progress, but it sometimes uses state media to imply or tease new developments.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
All three of China's aircraft carriers will be able to operate the J-35 stealth fighter.
Possible · Medium term
Open Questions
- Will the Liaoning and Shandong carriers be successfully upgraded to operate the J-35?
- What is the timeline for these potential upgrades?
- What specific modifications are being made to the older carriers?
- How will this capability change China's naval strategy in the western Pacific?
