China ramps up J-35A stealth fighter jet production as two aircraft conduct test flight.

China has conducted the first-ever joint flight of two factory-new Shenyang J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighters, according to video footage published on January 7, 2026. The coordinated flight strongly indicates that the J-35A has entered serial production and advanced flight testing, marking a significant step forward in China’s stealth aviation ambitions.

Video footage published by The Daily CPEC on X on January 7, 2026, appears to show two fully assembled, production-standard Shenyang J-35A stealth fighters flying in close formation near the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation production complex in Liaoning Province. Defense observers say the joint flight of two factory-new airframes represents the clearest public evidence to date that China has transitioned the J-35A from prototype development into serial manufacturing and dual-aircraft operational testing.
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A Shenyang J‑35A fifth‑generation stealth fighter is seen during a flight test in China, as video released on January 7, 2025, confirmed the joint testing of two production aircraft. (Picture source: The Daily CPEC)

This moment represents a turning point in the operational timeline of China’s next-generation tactical aviation capabilities. The J-35A is the land-based variant of the J-35 stealth fighter family, developed by SAC under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). While the J-35 is being developed for carrier operations under the PLA Navy (PLAN), the J-35A is optimized for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and does not include the structural modifications required for catapult launches or arrested landings at sea. By eliminating these naval reinforcements, the J-35A gains a lighter overall frame, greater internal fuel capacity, and enhanced operational flexibility from conventional airbases.

The aircraft family traces its origins to the FC-31 "Gyrfalcon" stealth demonstrator, which conducted its maiden flight on October 31, 2012. Initially presented as a private venture aimed at the export market, the FC-31 underwent substantial redesign after being absorbed into state-backed defense programs. By 2021, the first prototype flight of what would become the J-35A took place. A production-standard airframe was observed in June 2023, and the first confirmed test flight of the production model occurred in August 2024.

As of December 2024, intelligence sources confirmed that the J-35A had entered limited evaluation service with a specialized PLAAF unit tasked with operational testing under near-combat conditions. Although full Initial Operating Capability (IOC) has not yet been declared, Chinese military aviation analysts estimate it will be achieved by late 2026, with frontline deployment likely beginning around 2027.

The J-35A is a twin-engine, fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter designed for air superiority, precision strike, and battlefield interdiction missions in high-threat environments. It incorporates internal weapons bays, radar-absorbent materials, diverterless supersonic inlets, and advanced shaping techniques to reduce radar cross-section. Its avionics suite reportedly includes an AESA radar, electro-optical targeting systems, and secure multi-band datalinks, enabling sensor fusion and cooperative engagement with other air and surface platforms.

Unlike the heavier Chengdu J-20, which focuses on long-range interception and electronic warfare, the J-35A is designed for tactical maneuverability and high sortie rates. Current production blocks are believed to be powered by upgraded Russian RD-93 engines, but future models will likely transition to the domestically produced WS-19 engine, now in advanced development by Xi’an Aero-Engine Corporation. This transition would reduce reliance on foreign components and enhance overall thrust-to-weight performance.

China’s carrier-based variant, the J-35, is being developed in parallel for operations aboard the Type 003 aircraft carrier Fujian, which is equipped with an electromagnetic CATOBAR system. The J-35 has already completed static compatibility tests with carrier-based launch equipment and is expected to conduct flight trials during Fujian’s sea trial campaign in 2025 and 2026. The existence of both variants reflects a dual-track strategy. It enables power projection from both land and sea using stealth aircraft tailored to each environment.

The video published on January 7, 2025, marks the first public confirmation of a joint flight involving two production-standard J-35A fighters. While the exact date of the test flight has not been disclosed, the footage shows both aircraft executing coordinated maneuvers, a critical indicator of operational testing maturity. Such joint sorties validate not only aerodynamic performance and flight control systems but also radar signature suppression in multi-aircraft formations and real-time avionics coordination. This strongly suggests that the J-35A is advancing rapidly through its final development phases and that the PLAAF is actively preparing for the tactical integration of stealth formations.

Strategically, the J-35A expands China’s capacity to conduct stealth-based strike and air defense suppression missions within the first and second island chains. When deployed in large numbers, the aircraft will enable the PLAAF to project survivable airpower into contested zones such as the Taiwan Strait, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea. Its agility, reduced signature, and multirole flexibility will also allow China to operate the J-35A across a variety of mission sets, from deep-penetration strikes to local air defense reinforcement.

While Western military officials continue to monitor the program with caution, the appearance of two production-ready J-35As in joint flight represents a clear shift from research to operational capability. It confirms that China’s aerospace sector has reached an industrial and technological maturity capable of sustaining multiple fifth-generation aircraft lines in parallel. Only the United States has achieved this level of operational and industrial integration with its F-22 and F-35 programs.

As regional tensions rise, particularly across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader Indo-Pacific, the J-35A’s emergence signals that China is not only catching up in stealth aviation. It is actively reshaping the strategic airpower landscape. With its stealth aircraft now operating in production pairs and nearing frontline deployment, China’s fifth-generation capability is no longer aspirational. It is real, scalable, and accelerating.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.