Summary China is developing the Shenyang FC-31 Gyrfalcon, a 5th-generation fighter jet that could possibly be exported to Pakistan and Egypt. A carrier-based variant of the FC-31 called the J-35 is expected to operate off China's new Type 003 aircraft carrier. China is also developing a sixth-generation fighter jet, the J-XD, and a stealth strategic bomber, the H-20, comparable to the B-2 Spirit.
The Chinese are in the process of modernizing and rapidly building their air force . China is already believed to produce at least 240 fighter jets annually . This includes around 100 J-20 Mighty Dragons, 40 J-10C Vigorous Dragons, over 100 J-16 Hidden Dragons, and an unknown number of J-11s and J-15s (Russian Flanker derivatives).
But what combat aircraft is China known to have in development? Here are three known Chinese combat aircraft in the works. Shenyang FC-31 Gyrfalcon The FC-31 (also called the J-31 or J-35) is often compared to the US's F-35 Lightning II fighter jet (the Chinese are often accused of technology theft from the F-35). The FC-31 is currently in development and is a twinjet 5th-generation fighter jet being developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC).
When it comes into service, it will be China's second fifth-generation fighter. It is unclear if the PLAAF is interested in procuring the jet to operate alongside the J-20 or not. The aircraft is believed to have been developed as a private venture by the aircraft manufacturer.
SAC pressed ahead and developed the jet after its rival, Chengdu Aerospace Corporation's J-20 Mighty Dragon, was selected by the PLAAF. While the J-20 is banned from export, SAC is thought to attempt to export the FC-31. Pakistan and Egypt have emerged as potential buyers of the aircraft.
Shenyang FC-31 Gyrfalcon First flown: 2012 (2021 for carrier-based variant) Manufacturer: Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) Status: In development/prototype Role: Fifth generation multi-role fighter The FC-31 is also believed to be developed with a carrier-based variant (China has a rapidly growing fleet of aircraft carriers). Commentators have dubbed this variant the J-35. The J-35 first flew in 2021 and is expected to operate off China's new Type 003 aircraft carrier with an electromagnetic catapult system.
Mockups have been visible aboard the catapult-equipped CV-18 Fujian carrier (currently undergoing sea trials) and the older training CV-16 Liaoning carrier. This suggests that the aircraft is being built to be compatible with the PLA Navy's ski jump carriers (the Liaoning and the CV-17 Shandong ). According to the Diplomat , initial production could possibly " commence within the next couple of years at the earliest .
" Historically, China has had little success in the fighter jet export market, but the collapse of the Russian market share and the development of low-cost but effective Chinese fighters could change this. Previously, China exported low-end fighters (like the J-7) to cash-strapped air forces in Asia and Africa . The Hongdu JL-8 / K-8 offers an affordable jet trainer with light fighter capabilities to many developing countries' air forces.
Sixth-generation J-XD China is known to be producing a sixth-generation fighter jet dubbed the J-XD (meaning either “xīn dài”/ 新代 meaning new generation, or “xià dài” / 下代 next generation). Of the world's sixth-generation fighter jet programs (NGAD, BAE Tempest, F/A-XX, and the Franco-German FCAS), perhaps the least is known of this program. The Diplomat states , " The PLA’s sixth-generation manned fighter, or next-generation manned fighter, is considered to be an established program of record that is under active development and expected to emerge in some form during this decade.
" It is believed that China has flown various demonstrator test beds (that may have been subscale), but current indicators of the program remain mostly unchanged from a few years ago. The leading perception is that it is a tailless flying wing/flying arrowhead stealthy design. J-XD fighter First flown: Unknown/TBA Manufacturer: Possibly Chengdu Aerospace Corporation Status: Under development Role: Sixth-generation fighter The Chinese will most likely work to include systems that the West is known to be working on with its sixth-generation fighters (e.
g., advanced sensors, loyal wingman drones, and laser weapons), but little can be said with any authority. China is offering two types of advanced fighter jets to the Egyptian Air Force.
H-20 stealth bomber For now, the US Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bomber remains the only stealth bomber in service - although this is set to change as the B-21 Raider is now in low-rate production. The Chinese are known to be working on their own stealth strategic bomber design, thought to be a flying wing design similar to the B-2 Spirit. The existence of the project was acknowledged as early as the late 2010s.
While the Chinese have teased that the bomber will be unveiled "soon," little can be said of it. There are some indications that the H-20 could be more comparable to the older American B-2 Spirit than the new B-21 Raider. But little can be said with any certainty - the Diplomat even stated, ".
. .there have been some uncertain rumors in recent months that the H-20 as a project may not be pursued in the previous consensus form of a stealthy flying wing bomber .
" Xi'an H-20 First flight: Unknown/TBA Manufacturer: Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation Status: Under development Role: Strategic stealth bomber It should also be noted that China is known to be producing a number of high-end drones. Like the United States, it is likely they are developing advanced drones to operate as long-range stealth recon drones, aircraft carrier-based drones, and loyal wingman drones (called Collaborative Combat Aircraft by the US Air Force). One of the best-known advanced Chinese drones is the stealthy flying wing GJ-11.
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