New stealth fighter jet J-35A unveiled at air show

The J-35A stealth fighter jet participates in the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, in the southern coastal city of Zhuhai, Guangdong province. The exhibition opened on Tuesday and runs through Sunday. (TAO RAN/FOR CHINA DAILY)

China's new stealth fighter jet, the J-35A, made its public debut on Tuesday, as experts said it has unique advantages.

A J-35A made a brief flight performance after the opening ceremony of the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, which opened on Tuesday in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, and runs through Sunday.

Flying through a veil of mist, the fighter jet roared into the sight of thousands of spectators and soon soared up into the skies after a steep ascent.

This was the first time that the radar-evading combat plane had flown in front of the public, a week after it was declassified by the People's Liberation Army Air Force.

According to the PLA Air Force, the J-35A is a midsize stealth combat plane with multiple roles.

Upon the type's commissioning, China will become the second nation after the United States to have two types of stealth fighter jets in active service.

Currently, the PLA Air Force has deployed a large fleet of J-20 heavy-duty stealth combat aircraft, the commissioning of which started in late 2016.

According to the Aviation Industry Corp of China, the J-35A fifth-generation fighter jet was designed by its Shenyang Aircraft Design and Research Institute and will be used primarily to carry out air combat.

Wang Mingzhi, a senior researcher with the PLA Air Force, said the J-20 and J-35A will become the pillars of the PLA Air Force, which now focuses on stealth combat capabilities.

"In air combat in the future, the two types of fighter jets will complement each other. The heavy-duty J-20 will mainly strive for air dominance while the midsize J-35A will be suitable for various kinds of operations, including air combat and precision assaults against land and sea targets," he said.

Fu Qianshao, an aircraft expert who served with the PLA Air Force for decades, said the J-20 has outstanding capabilities but costs more than the J-35A, therefore the air force needs a stealth fighter jet with relatively good prowess and lower procurement costs.

"The J-35A has a smaller body, lower air drag and outstanding stealth technology," he said.

Wang Yanan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said the J-35A has some unique advantages such as the use of the latest manufacturing techniques and world-class avionics, as well as huge potential for upgrades.

"Thanks to the rapid advances in China's aviation technology, the systems on the new plane, such as its electronic equipment, can be conveniently upgraded if needed, after it is commissioned," he said.

The J-35A is one of the major highlights presented by the PLA Air Force at the exhibition in Zhuhai, which opened one day after the 75th anniversary of the PLA Air Force's founding.