China's new fighter jet is part of their strategy to keep pace with the United States' air capabilities.

China has finally revealed its highly-anticipated new stealth fighter, an aircraft that is seen as part of Beijing's efforts to match the advanced warplane capabilities of the US. The land-based version of the Chinese air force's J-35A made its first public appearance at the Zhuhai air show in southern China on Tuesday, as reported by Reuters. According to a Chinese military-affiliated outlet, the warplane is primarily designed for air combat operations but can also carry out air-to-surface attacks.

The commissioning of this aircraft would make China the second country, after the US, to possess two types of stealth fighter jets, according to experts cited by Chinese state media. The J-20 stealth fighter, which entered service in 2017, was the first. These stealth fighters are specially designed to evade radar and other forms of detection, allowing them to carry out missions without being detected or intercepted.

Chinese military expert Li Li explained in an interview with state broadcaster CCTV that the J-35 is likely to be developed as a series and could potentially be used as a carrier-based aircraft in the future. This would greatly enhance China's capabilities in sea and air combat, she added. Carl Schuster, a former director of operations at the US Pacific Command's Joint Intelligence Centre, believes that the J-35A, which has been in development for more than a decade, is intended for the People's Liberation Army Navy.

Schuster also noted that the J-35A, which took its first flight in 2021, is an improved version of an earlier prototype and could potentially enter production by early next year. He believes that the upgraded model features more powerful engines, making it a formidable addition to China's military arsenal.

For years, China's development of stealth fighters has been plagued by accusations that it stole crucial technology from the US. However, Beijing has vehemently denied these claims. These allegations came to light in 2015 when German magazine Der Spiegel published documents allegedly from US National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden. Despite these controversies, the unveiling of the J-35A at the Zhuhai air show is a clear indication of China's determination to strengthen its military capabilities and compete with other major powers in the world.

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