Aircraft
AVIC Offers Low-cost Alternative to the F-35
Shenyang J-35 bears many similarities to its American counterpart
AVIC J-35
AVIC’s J-35 is available in a naval version and, with non-folding wings, for air forces. © David McIntosh/AIN

Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) is heavily promoting the J-35 stealthy multirole fighter at the Singapore Airshow, with a large-scale mockup dominating its hall exhibition and J-35 branding to the fore on its chalet. The aircraft is being offered as a low-cost alternative to the Lockheed Martin F-35.

Beginning life as the FC-31, a privately funded demonstrator for potential export customers that first flew in October 2012, the aircraft underwent a considerable redesign that led to the J-35, a carrier-capable aircraft with twin nosewheels. A naval prototype first flew in October 2021, and the type is now in production at Shenyang for the People’s Liberation Navy. Last September, a prototype became the first fifth-generation fighter to launch from a carrier using an electromagnetic launch system during trials aboard Fujian.

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