Will China's Zhuhai Airshow 2024 feature the new J-35 stealth fighter?.

During a press conference on September 25, 2024, Lieutenant General Yu Qingjiang indicated that the upcoming Zhuhai Airshow will feature more air-to-ground equipment displays and flight demonstrations, with several items being presented publicly for the first time. The event will include flight displays of newly developed fighter jets, potentially featuring a medium-sized stealth fighter based on the FC-31 (possibly the J-35), as well as both carrier-based and land-based variants of the FC-31, unmanned stealth drones, special operations aircraft, and modified versions of current models like the Y-20 with domestically developed engines.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Designed for single-pilot operations, the J-35 is tailored for carrier compatibility and aerodynamic efficiency, featuring specifications that support its role in varied mission scenarios. (Picture source: Chinese social media)

The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, known as Zhuhai Airshow 2024, is scheduled for November 12 to 17, 2024, at the Zhuhai International Airshow Center, Guangdong province. This year's event will feature a wide range of new aircraft, missiles, radars, and related equipment. New combat aircraft from the People's Liberation Army Air Force will be introduced, showcasing their capabilities in long-range operations and air combat. The Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) is expected to present 260 products, including fighter jets, drones, and missiles, while China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC) will display more than 100 items, such as the HQ-9BE surface-to-air missile and the YJ-12E supersonic anti-ship missile.

In addition, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC) will present space technologies such as models of the Chang'e-6 lunar probe, the Queqiao 2 relay satellite, and the Long March 12 rocket. The exhibition will also include lunar samples from the Chang'e-6 mission. CASC plans to display 200 products, 75% of which are new and being showcased for the first time. Tickets for the event went on sale on September 19, 2024, with professional days set from November 12 to 14 and public days from November 15 to 17.

Lieutenant General Yu Qingjiang, Vice Commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, outlined the Air Force's plans for the exhibition. The static displays will be organized into four sections, covering air control operations and air strikes, unmanned and anti-unmanned operations, strategic delivery and airdrops, and early warning detection and air defense. This approach aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the PLA Air Force's current capabilities.

China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC) will display more than 100 items at the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show, such as the HQ-9BE surface-to-air missile system and the YJ-12E supersonic anti-ship missile. (Picture source: Chinese social media)

The event will also include flight displays featuring newly developed fighter jets, demonstrating capabilities such as long-range strategic delivery and air strikes. This will be the first time these new aircraft are publicly unveiled. The PLA Army and Navy will also participate, contributing to what is expected to be the most extensive display of the PLA's capabilities across all branches. Yu emphasized that the airshow is intended to communicate the PLA Air Force's capability and commitment to defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

While some enthusiasts anticipated the unveiling of the H-20 stealth bomber, Chinese military aviation expert Fu Qianshao suggested that this aircraft might not be ready for public display. However, he pointed out that other aircraft, such as a medium-sized stealth fighter based on the FC-31, unmanned stealth drones, new special operations aircraft, and modified versions of existing models like the Y-20 equipped with domestically developed engines, could be presented. The FC-31, which has appeared in previous airshows, may have updated versions at this event. Additionally, reports suggest that variants of the FC-31 could include both carrier-based and land-based versions, such as the J-35.

As reported by Navy Recognition on March 1, 2024, the Chinese Navy's Liaoning aircraft carrier has returned to sea, featuring mockups of the J-15 and J-35 jets, suggesting that the vessel is undergoing deck-handling trials with these mockups. This development might indicate a change from earlier plans that anticipated the J-35’s deployment on China’s future carriers with catapult systems, instead of the existing ski-jump ramps on the Liaoning. The imagery also shows a J-15 mockup, which appears to have a unique cockpit shape, potentially pointing to a new variant. Observers like Andreas Rupprecht have discussed the possibility of this variant being an electronic warfare version, designated as the J-15D, which could expand the People's Liberation Army Navy's electronic warfare capabilities.

The J-31 is expected to reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 at high altitude, with a service ceiling of 16,000 meters. Its combat radius is reported to be approximately 1,200 kilometers, which can be extended to 1,900 kilometers with aerial refueling. (Picture source: Chinese social media)