J-35A fighter (PLAAF) + FC-31 thread

[SinoAmericanCW]

The PLAAF doesn't need two aircraft that are totally equal. Neither does the PLANAF. The J-35 will simply slowly take over for the J-16 in PLAAF service, while for the PLANAF the J-15T and J-35 will constitute that...how do the Americans say? Hi-Lo mix.

I doubt the J-35A will replace the J-16, the latter which fills a specific niche as a heavy missile truck. It's more likely to replace the remaining J-7s, J-8s, J-10As and J-10Bs in active service.

I expect the J-16 to be replaced by the 6th gens, which will be able to match it as missile trucks with their large IWBs (J-36) and CCAs (both types).

 

[Totoro]

J35 will replace j16 in production, not in service, of course. I find it highly unlikely that j16 will keep getting made for more than a couple more years. Even now, as j35 production is ramping up, its likely j16 production is ramping down.

In service, it's all but a given that the few remaining j7 and many j10s will gradually be replaced by j35. (J8 have been retired already)

 

[siegecrossbow]

J35 will replace j16 in production, not in service, of course. I find it highly unlikely that j16 will keep getting made for more than a couple more years. Even now, as j35 production is ramping up, its likely j16 production is ramping down.

In service, it's all but a given that the few remaining j7 and many j10s will gradually be replaced by j35. (J8 have been retired already)

I wonder if the WS-10 line is ramping down by 2026. If you think about it:

1) J-16 production is going down.
2) PLAAF no longer inducts J-10C, so only for exports and possibly reengine older variants.
3) J-20 switching to WS-15 for A and S variants.
4) J-35 using WS-21/19.

 

[SinoAmericanCW]

2) PLAAF no longer inducts J-10C, so only for exports and possibly reengine older variants.

Didn't the 44th Air Brigade receive newly-built J-10Cs in 2024?

 

[sunnymaxi]

I wonder if the WS-10 line is ramping down by 2026. If you think about it:

1) J-16 production is going down.
2) PLAAF no longer inducts J-10C, so only for exports and possibly reengine older variants.
3) J-20 switching to WS-15 for A and S variants.
4) J-35 using WS-21/19.

i believe J-16 will continue to produce in decent numbers in coming years.

but WS-10 production going to cut down heavily. WS-20 engine is entered in full scale production too. don't forget Liming is also the largest producer of Engine components in mainland. means heavy pressure on supply chain due to new products entering in production. like WS-15/WS-20 and various GTs..

WS-21/WS-19 is the product of Guizhou/Guiyang so they have nothing to do with WS-10 whether production is ramping down or ceased.

 

[00CuriousObserver]

Why not August 1st? /s

3rd of September 2025 is one day after the 80th anniversary of the Surrender of Japan that concluded the Second World War in 1945. Could also be hinting at China Victory Day Parade at Tiananmen Square at that day, if the claim is true.

约克 has said numerous times insisting that there will be a 80th WWII anniversary parade. I also vaguely remember Guancha slightly hinting at it.

Just look for more hints and it should be easy to further confirm

Also allegedly Russia will also hold their own parade and both countries will participate in each other's parades.

 

[henrik]

There is plenty of reason to assume that. The J-35A has virtually no apparent advantage over the J-20 (let alone J-20A) to justify it's procurement by the PLAAF other than being a cheaper complementary fighter to fill the ranks. Especially when J-20 production may have reached it's maximum output for the near (and relevant) future.

The PLAAF doesn't need two aircraft that are totally equal. Neither does the PLANAF. The J-35 will simply slowly take over for the J-16 in PLAAF service, while for the PLANAF the J-15T and J-35 will constitute that...how do the Americans say? Hi-Lo mix.

You generally don't see air forces operate two equally capable fighters for the sake of it. I can only think about parade grade air forces like Saudi Arabia and Qatar with F-15s and Eurofighters as well as F-15s, Eurofighters and Rafales respectively.

Point being, by nature of being an advanced stealth multirole fighter, the J-35 couldn't be different enough to th J-20 to justify it's purchase by the PLAAF, unless it's much cheaper (less capable), and thus can be procured in bigger numbers simultanously to the J-20.

How would the J-35 will take over the J-16 in PLAAF service, when the J-16 is the missile truck, which can carry more missiles?

 

[EmoBirb]

Sure there is. Superior stealth, enhanced multirole capabilities, and lower cost and maintenance ease itself is still an undeniably significant advantage.

The J-20/A's prowess in A/A is also undeniable. But it comes at a hefty cost (pun intended), and its equipment and itself isn't designed for being multirole. The J-35A provides PLA much of the J-20/A's A/A capabilities at a fraction of the cost, while giving the PLA something that can stealthily complete SEAD/DEAD missions cheaply without risking an important A/A asset. That is something the PLA desperately wants, as hinted from Deino's source.


...of PLA multirole spots, yes. What, the JH-7s, older J-7/8/10/11s have gotta retire eventually.


Not when it's switching to J-20A production, and there's still a lot of spots to fill. Ones that an expensive, pure A/A fighter won't really be suitable at.


You're right. Fortunately, they're not.


As I've said, J-16s will be the latest ones to go. They've still got fairly old fighters, and it doesn't hurt to expand their ranks. After all, the USAF still holds a numerical advantage.


Correct. That's why the J-20/A and 35A serve different purposes.


Tell that to the PLAAF, who seem to be very eager to get their hands on the J-35A. And as established, they're very different.


Cheaper doesn't directly suggest less capable overall.


Which has a point, as established.

On what sources do you base this superiority in stealth and multirole capability of the J-35A over the J-20 (leaving the J-20A out here completely for a bit)?

For all we know the J-35 is just getting started to become operational. Information is pretty scarce and it was developed from a cheapish, privately funded, export oriented demonstrator (FC-31). The J-20 on the other hand was a ground up new design, from the outset intended to be the cutting edge, high performs stealth fighter for the PLAAF. In fact initially the PLAAF wasn't even interested in the FC-31/J-35. So I find it hard to believe that anything but the smaller price tag and seperate assembly line (thus not putting more pressure on the assembly of the J-20) were driving factors for the PLAAF.

Just like it's cousin in name, the F-35, it seems to be the cheaper, strike oriented, complementary fighter for it's respective air force.

While the J-20 is evidently the favorite of the PLAAF.

 

[EmoBirb]

How would the J-35 will take over the J-16 in PLAAF service, when the J-16 is the missile truck, which can carry more missiles?

By being the only aircraft SAC will produce in large volumes?

You really think the bog standard J-16 will be produced for much longer once everything for the J-35 is set up? I can see the J-16D living longer, as it's a specialized aircraft with lots of utility. But a "missile truck" has only so much use. Especially when that role can be more effectively filled by UCAVs in the future. The USAF isn't particularly keen on the F-15EX, I doubt the PLAAF will want to keep the J-16 longer than necessary either.

Either way however, the J-16 won't disappear from one day to another. But it's time as SACs top offering and production priority is clearly numbered. The next generation effort will only accelerate that process.

Furthermore, with the amount of TELs, bombers and other aircraft (obviously stealth aircraft can still carry ordnance externally when the mission allows it) at their disposal, there is little reason for the PLA to rely on a legacy system longer than necessary when a more sophisticated and capable option is available. Especially as the J-16s survivability will decrease further in the future.

That idea of a "missile truck" sure is an awfully repeated take, reminds me of things like "plasma stealth", "active stealth" etc. This currently popular thing you'll repeatedly read in second rate defense blogs and publications and places like NonCredibleDefence.

 

[00CuriousObserver]

On what sources do you base this superiority in stealth and multirole capability of the J-35A over the J-20 (leaving the J-20A out here completely for a bit)?

Re stealth, I don't think there are "definitive" "official" sources that outright say this, but:

1. An official from SAC said:

For the J-35, users proposed higher stealth performance requirements. "To achieve such stealth indicators, we adopted many new technical measures and systems. Significant progress and innovative achievements have been made in many areas. By utilizing the latest breakthroughs in existing technologies, we completed the development of the J-35A."

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2. Xiyazhou from Guancha said "J-35 used 'more complete' stealth technologies than J-20"

Timestamp 3:12

3. CCTV said "J-35A's stealth performance is amongst first in the world". I don't think the this has ever been said in this manner about the J-20.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1857246873280512331

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Keep in mind that the J-20 and J-35 are designed for slightly different operational scenarios. The J-20 will primarily operate near China, benefiting from extensive land-based EW support and the background noise of a WESTPAC HIC. This is not necessarily the case for the J-35, as exemplified by carrier-based operations and export customers.