China's new J-35 fighter jet wows crowds at air show, but can it sell?

International buyers could risk lack of maintenance support or alienate the US

- Lim Min Zhang

BEIJING - China's latest stealth fighter jet, the J-35, made its public debut at the Zhuhai Airshow this week, wowing crowds with a series of steep dives and climbs during its aerial displays.

As China's answer to the American F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the J-35 is considered a fifth-generation jet, or the most advanced series in operation today, with its stealth capabilities, maneuverability and sleek design.

Its reveal was seen by local and international media as the highlight of China's largest air show, putting China on course, after the US, as the only other country to operate two types of stealth fighters.

This is China's second foray into fifth-generation fighter jets, following the J-20, which entered service in 2017. The J-20 is considerably larger than the J-35 and is not for sale, owing to sensitive technology on board.

Other than showcasing its growing military might and technological prowess, however, China could have economic objectives for the reveal.

In recent years, China has reaped the fruits of investments into technology as it sought to export a range of platforms, from the Beidou satellite navigation system to nuclear reactors.

Advanced fighter jets could well be the next market China eyes. Close partner Pakistan could be the J-35's first non-Chinese operator, with its air force chief saying in January that the FC-31-the J-35's predecessor - would enter service "in the near future".

Next-generation fighter jets are a strategic capability whose sales could signal yet another step taken in China's ascendance as a global power.

Yet, with a smaller circle of rich and militarily powerful allies compared with Washington, China may find it difficult to find international buyers for the J-35, even if it does live up to its hype.

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