Can China's J-35 Fighter Jet Find Its Market?

After more than a decade in development, China's J-35 fifth-generation fighter jet is making its international debut. But can it carve out a market in the shadow of America's dominant F-35?

China's Export Ambitions Take Flight

At this month's Singapore Airshow, the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation displayed a half-scale model of the J-35A, sending a clear signal: China is serious about breaking into the global fighter jet market.

The J-35, developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), represents China's second fifth-generation fighter after the export-restricted J-20. Officially delivered to the People's Liberation Army last year, the aircraft made its public debut at China's World War II anniversary military parade.

This isn't China's first rodeo in international arms marketing. The J-35 has appeared at defense exhibitions from Paris to Dubai, as Beijing aggressively promotes its military hardware abroad.

The F-35 Fortress

But China faces a formidable opponent in Lockheed Martin's F-35, widely considered the gold standard of fifth-generation fighters. With over 800 aircraft delivered to 15+ countries, the F-35 has established itself as the backbone of Western air power.

The competition isn't just about specifications and performance metrics. The F-35 comes with something China can't easily replicate: a proven track record, extensive pilot training programs, and integration with NATO and allied defense systems.

Most Asia-Pacific nations maintain strong security ties with the United States. For them, buying American isn't just about acquiring hardware—it's about joining a comprehensive defense ecosystem that includes intelligence sharing, joint exercises, and long-term strategic partnerships.

China's Competitive Edge

So what's China's selling proposition? Price. While an F-35 costs upward of $80 million per unit, Chinese alternatives are expected to come significantly cheaper. For budget-conscious militaries, that's no small consideration.

China also offers something the US sometimes can't: no strings attached. American arms sales often come with human rights conditions, technology transfer restrictions, and political expectations. Chinese weapons? Cash and carry.

This approach has worked before. Countries facing US sanctions or seeking to diversify their defense suppliers have turned to Chinese alternatives. Pakistan's purchase of Chinese fighter jets and various African nations' adoption of Chinese military hardware demonstrate there's a market for Beijing's offerings.

The Trust Factor

But here's the catch: fighter jets aren't smartphones. They're 30-year investments requiring constant maintenance, upgrades, and parts supply. A country buying the J-35 is betting on China's ability to support these aircraft for decades.

That's where questions arise. Can China match the global maintenance network that supports F-35 operations? Will Chinese avionics and systems prove as reliable in combat as American alternatives? And perhaps most critically, will China honor long-term support commitments even if political relationships sour?

Geopolitical Chess Game

The J-35's export prospects ultimately depend less on engineering specifications and more on geopolitical alignments. Countries firmly in the US orbit—Japan, South Korea, Australia—are unlikely customers. But nations seeking strategic autonomy or balancing between great powers might consider Chinese alternatives.

Southeast Asia emerges as the key battleground. Countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand have complex relationships with both superpowers. Their fighter jet choices will signal broader strategic orientations.

For the US, every J-35 sale represents more than lost revenue—it's a crack in the alliance system that has underpinned American influence in the Pacific since World War II.

Market Reality Check

Military analysts remain skeptical about the J-35's export potential. The global fighter jet market is small, dominated by established players, and heavily influenced by political considerations beyond China's control.

Moreover, China faces the "prove it" problem. Until the J-35 demonstrates combat effectiveness and reliability in real-world operations, potential buyers will remain cautious. The F-35, despite its development troubles, has been battle-tested and continuously improved through operational experience.