United States

Beijing is actively marketing its J-35 fifth-generation fighter jet to potential buyers in the Asia-Pacific region, but faces significant competition from the established US F-35 and more affordable alternatives. The push to sell the J-35, showcased at the Singapore Airshow this month, highlights China’s growing ambition to become a major player in the global arms market, though analysts suggest political and economic factors will heavily influence its success.

The J-35A, the air force variant of the jet, was displayed with a half-size model at the airshow by China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), representing the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the country’s largest military aerospace firm, according to the South China Morning Post. This presentation signals a concerted effort by China to expand its defense exports, but questions remain about the aircraft’s appeal given the existing dominance of the F-35.

Developed over more than a decade by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of AVIC, the J-35A officially entered service with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) last year, following its debut in a military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. As China’s second fifth-generation fighter – the J-20 is the first, but currently not cleared for export – the J-35 is widely considered to be Beijing’s answer to Lockheed Martin’s F-35, Interesting Engineering reports.

Competition and Interoperability Concerns

While the J-35 offers potential advantages for nations seeking to reduce reliance on Western military supply chains, boasting advanced avionics and stealth features, it faces challenges in interoperability. Liselotte Odgaard, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington, noted that the F-35 benefits from a “mature Western weapons ecosystem” and seamless integration with US-allied intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, as well as joint command-and-control networks. This established infrastructure provides a significant advantage for the American-made jet.

Timothy Heath, a senior defense researcher at the Rand Corporation, suggests that while China has narrowed the gap with the US in fifth-generation aircraft development, the F-35 remains superior for long-range operations and collaborative missions with allies. He noted the J-35 may be faster and potentially more maneuverable, but the F-35 is designed for broader operational roles, Interesting Engineering reports.

Regional Dynamics and Existing Alliances

Several US allies in the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, already operate the F-35. Japan recently added the F-35B, the short take-off and vertical landing variant, to its fleet, enhancing its naval capabilities amid rising regional tensions. This existing investment in the F-35 and the strong alliances underpinning it create a significant hurdle for the J-35 to overcome.

Bence Nemeth, a senior lecturer in defense studies at King’s College London, explained that the J-35 is most likely to attract countries that lack access to the F-35, desire reduced dependence on the US, or cannot afford the F-35’s lifecycle costs. However, he also emphasized that alliance politics play a dominant role in defense procurement in the Asia-Pacific, making the F-35 the “default choice” for US allies and partners.

Alternative Options and Future Prospects

Beyond the F-35, the J-35 also faces competition from more affordable options, such as South Korea’s FA-50, used by the Philippines, and Sweden’s JAS 39 Gripen, operated by Thailand. South Korea’s KF-21 fighter, featuring stealth technology and planned fifth-generation upgrades, could further limit the J-35’s export potential in the region.

China’s potential advantages include more flexible financing options and less stringent political conditions, but analysts suggest the J-35’s software upgrade and sustainment systems are less mature than those of its competitors. The success of the J-35 will likely depend on China’s ability to address these concerns and offer a compelling package that balances cost, capability, and political considerations.

The coming years will reveal whether China can successfully establish the J-35 as a viable alternative in the international market. Continued development and refinement of the aircraft, coupled with strategic diplomatic efforts, will be crucial for Beijing to gain traction against the established dominance of the F-35 and other competing platforms.

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