Watch: China unveils new J-35A stealth fighter jet to challenge US

‘Fifth-generation’ fighter performs maiden flight demonstration at opening of Zhuhai Air Show

China has debuted its most advanced stealth fighter jet that can evade radar detection and attack enemy targets at supersonic speeds.
The J-35A, a “fifth-generation” fighter, performed its maiden flight demonstration at the opening of the Zhuhai Air Show on Tuesday as Beijing modernises its military to compete with Washington for air superiority.
The biennial event, which was attended by senior Chinese officials as well as Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russia’s Security Council, is one of Asia’s biggest military aircraft conventions.
The J-35A is China’s response to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 and is smaller than the J-20 stealth fighters that are already in service in China’s air force.
Analysts say the air show, where China’s latest drones and missiles were also on display, is intended as a show of force to China’s adversaries, demonstrating its rapidly growing tech capabilities.
Russia’s Su-57 stealth fighter is also on display at the air show, reflecting the growing desire for Beijing and Moscow to establish closer military-industrial ties.
The event coincided with Mr Shoigu’s meeting for security talks with Wang Yi, Chinese foreign minister, in Beijing.
During the meeting, Mr Shoigu stressed the deep bond China and Russia have established and the need for the two major powers to counter “containment” by the US and its allies.
Moscow and Beijing have expanded military and defence ties since Russia ordered troops into Ukraine nearly three years ago, with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, one of Vladimir Putin’s most important allies on the world stage.
But Beijing has also found itself increasingly stuck between a burgeoning alliance of Russia and North Korea, which has sent soldiers to Ukraine and this week ratified a landmark defence pact with Moscow.
“The more external challenges we face, the more resolute we must be in uniting to defend our common interests,” Mr Shoigu was quoted as saying in Russian news agencies.