China Unveils J-35A Fifth-Generation Stealth Fighter Jet at Singapore Airshow 2026.

China’s state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China unveiled a scale model of the J-35A stealth fighter at the 2026 Singapore Airshow, offering the clearest public view yet of the land-based aircraft. The display highlights Beijing’s push to present the People’s Liberation Army Air Force as a mature fifth-generation air combat force to international audiences.

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China used the opening days of the Singapore Airshow 2026, held at the Changi Exhibition Centre from February 3 to February 8, to formally display a scale model of its J-35A stealth fighter, drawing sustained attention from military delegations and defense analysts. Chinese state media and industry representatives described the aircraft as a land-based fifth-generation platform intended for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, marking a notable step in Beijing’s effort to publicly define the jet’s configuration, role, and export signaling posture.
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A scale model of China’s land-based J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighter was displayed by AVIC at Singapore Airshow 2026. (Picture source: Iran Lady X account)

The new Chines J-35A stealth fighter jet was displayed as part of AVIC’s official exhibition lineup and represents the land-based evolution of the broader J-35 program, which has also been associated with carrier aviation concepts for the People’s Liberation Army Navy. Unlike navalized variants, the J-35A is optimized for conventional runway operations, air force mission profiles, and integration into mainland air defense and strike architectures. The configuration shown in Singapore emphasizes aerodynamic shaping and low-observable features tailored for sustained air superiority and precision strike roles over contested airspace.

Visually, the scale model highlights hallmark fifth-generation design elements, including blended fuselage lines, diverterless supersonic intakes, edge-aligned control surfaces, and canted twin vertical stabilizers. Internal weapons bays are clearly integrated into the fuselage design, reinforcing the aircraft’s stealth-first philosophy by reducing external stores and radar cross-section during combat operations. The overall geometry suggests a platform designed to balance stealth, maneuverability, and payload capacity, aligning with modern multi-domain air combat concepts.

The J-35A is widely regarded as a complementary system to China’s heavier J-20 stealth fighter, potentially offering the PLA Air Force a more flexible and numerically scalable fifth-generation option. Industry observers note that the aircraft is expected to feature an advanced sensor suite, including an active electronically scanned array radar, electro-optical targeting systems, and sensor fusion capabilities designed to support network-centric operations alongside airborne early warning platforms, unmanned systems, and ground-based command nodes.

While AVIC did not release detailed performance specifications at the airshow, the J-35A model suggests compatibility with China’s latest-generation indigenous turbofan engines, reflecting Beijing’s ongoing efforts to achieve full autonomy in high-performance military propulsion. The land-based design also suggests reduced structural complexity compared to carrier-capable variants, potentially lowering production costs and easing maintenance demands for air force operators.

The decision to present the J-35A at Singapore Airshow 2026 carries strategic weight. As one of Asia’s most influential aerospace exhibitions, the event attracts senior defense officials and procurement authorities from across the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. By highlighting the land-based J-35A in this setting, AVIC appears to be signaling both the program's maturity and China’s readiness to position the aircraft as a future option for nations seeking advanced combat aircraft beyond Western suppliers.

For readers seeking a deeper technical understanding of the aircraft, Army Recognition provides a dedicated J-35A technical data page featuring an in-depth review of the fighter’s design philosophy, avionics architecture, propulsion options, and combat capabilities, along with detailed specifications and comparative analysis. This technical section offers additional insight into how the J-35A fits within China’s evolving fifth-generation fighter ecosystem and the broader global landscape of stealth combat aircraft.

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.