China unveils 5th generation J-35AE fighter jet, Pakistan likely to get it first

China has showcased its first operational J-35AE stealth fighter built specifically for export. Pakistan, which has reportedly begun pilot training in China, is the frontrunner to acquire up to 40 of the fifth-generation jets.

China has unveiled a new variant of the fifth-generation J-35 multi-role stealth fighter jet, built for export and designed to compete with the US F-35 Lightning II in the international arms market. Its first customer is likely to be Pakistan. The development comes close to the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, which saw fierce aerial combat between India and Pakistan.

The Chinese jet in question, the J-35AE is a land-based export variant of the J-35, which is operated by both the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF). According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the J35-A was first unveiled as a scale model during the Paris Air Show last year.

Since then, China appears to have proceeded to manufacture full-fledged jets. The country's state broadcaster, China Central Television, featured a J-35A model bearing the serial number 001 rolling out of a hangar, during the "2026 May 1st International Labour Day 'Heart to Heart' Special Programme".

According to a report by the SCMP, the jet featured the logo of China's largest military aircraft manufacturer, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), rather than the PLAAF logo, a sign it is an export variant. The report notes that this is the first time an export variant of the J-35, dubbed the J-35AE, has been unveiled as a full operational model.

WHAT IS CHINA'S J-35 AE FIGHTER JET?

The J-35 series is China’s second fifth-generation fighter jet with full stealth capabilities after the J-20, and is widely considered to be China’s answer to America's Lockheed Martin’s F-35. It is a twin-engine jet featuring an internal weapons bay, and modern radar and infrared systems

Produced by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, Beijing first unveiled the land-based variant, the J-35A, at the Zhuhai air show in November 2024. The J-35A is the variant for the PLA Air Force, while the J-35 is the variant for the navy to operate on aircraft carriers. According to CCTV, China operates 57 models of the J-35 across all variants.

The J-35 AE, on the other hand, is a variant of the J-35A built specifically for exports.

While detailed specifications unique to the J-35AE have not been fully released, it is expected to closely mirror the performance of China's domestic J-35A. Reports indicate that aircraft in this family can achieve a top speed of Mach 1.8, feature an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar capable of tracking and engaging multiple targets simultaneously, and carry a variety of weapons.

This includes at least four supersonic air-to-air missiles (such as the PL-15 or equivalents) in internal weapons bays for stealthy operations, with additional options for external hardpoints. The aircraft also integrates modern sensors like a teal-coated electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) for enhanced targeting and survivability.

IS THE J-35 AE DESTINED FOR EXPORT TO PAKISTAN?

China has long marketed its J-35 as a cost-effective competitor to the F-35 Lighting 2. Each unit is reported to cost anywhere between $35 to $80 million, while CCTV reported that the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's assembly line can churn out a new J-35 every 72 hours.

That being said, neither variant of the J-35 has yet to see any export success despite Chinese claims of multiple countries allegedly showing their interest in acquiring the jet.

That may, however, change with the unveiling of the J-35 AE, which the SCMP reported is fully ready for operational service, and the first exports might go to one of Beiing's biggest client states, Pakistan.

In January 2024, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chief Zaheer Sidhu for the first time announced Pakistan's intention to buy J-35 aircraft, and preparations were made for the acquisition. In December 2024, Chinese media reported that the PAF approved the purchase of 40 aircraft.

Then, in June 2025, a Pakistani official told Janes Information Services that pilots had begun training in China for the induction of J-35 aircraft. That same month, Pakistan officially announced the country's plan to acquire the J-35A, with the delivery expected in two years. The sale of the J-F35AE would make Pakistan the first export customer of the aircraft type.

However, in the same month, Pakistan's Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, told Arab News, when asked about the J-35 sales to Pakistan, that "it's only in the media, and beneficial mainly for Chinese defence sales".

Despite this denial, with China having showcased the first J-35AE export prototype, it's likely that Pakistan remains the frontrunner to become the launch export customer, potentially acquiring up to 40 jets as part of a larger package that may include KJ-500 AEW&C aircraft. Pilot training continues, and production timelines point to possible deliveries starting in late 2026 or 2027.

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