China may be preparing to export its J-35A fifth-generation fighter jet, with Pakistan seen as the most likely early buyer, after state television aired footage that analysts said offered the clearest public sign yet of an export-ready version of the aircraft, reported South China Morning Post.
The speculation intensified after a May 1 broadcast showed a J-35A model marked with the logo of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, or AVIC, rather than the insignia of China’s air force.
Analysts said that detail suggested the aircraft on display was intended for foreign sale rather than domestic service.
The aircraft shown appeared to be a full export model, known as the J-35AE, rather than a mock-up previously displayed at defence exhibitions, according to analysts cited in the report.
China has not announced an export deal for the fighter, and Pakistan has not confirmed any purchase.
Pakistan is widely viewed as the most likely first overseas customer because of its long-standing defence ties with China and its existing fleet of Chinese-origin aircraft, including the jointly developed JF-17 Thunder and the J-10C fighter jet.
The J-35 series is China’s second fifth-generation stealth fighter after the J-20. The J-35A is designed for land-based operations, while related variants are being developed for carrier use.
The export-focused J-35AE is expected to compete in markets where access to U.S. or European fifth-generation fighters is restricted.
The aircraft is believed to feature a twin-engine design, stealth shaping, internal weapons bays, advanced radar and modern sensor systems.
Footage broadcast by state television showed the fighter equipped with a teal-coated electro-optical targeting system integrated into the fuselage, a design feature analysts said would help preserve its low-observable characteristics by avoiding the use of external targeting pods.
The J-35A family has been widely reported to have a top speed of around Mach 1.8, a combat range of about 1,200 km (746 miles) and a service ceiling of roughly 16,000 metres (52,500 feet).
It is also expected to carry air-to-air missiles, supersonic air-to-surface missiles and precision-guided munitions, with avionics believed to include an active electronically scanned array radar, electro-optical targeting system and distributed aperture sensors.
If Pakistan acquires the aircraft, it would mark a major upgrade for the Pakistan Air Force and make the country one of the first outside China to operate a Chinese fifth-generation fighter.
Such a move could influence the military balance in South Asia as India pursues advanced fighter programmes of its own, while operating Rafale jets and modernising other aircraft in its fleet.
For China, a sale to Pakistan would provide an important early export endorsement for its newest stealth fighter.
For now, however, the prospect remains unconfirmed, with no official statements from Beijing or Islamabad on aircraft numbers, delivery schedules or contract terms.
