China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai has caused even more of a sensation than usual, with the surprise debut of several new combat jets, including the secretive fifth-generation Shenyang J-35A.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Z3144228
The subject of wild rumours in the weeks leading up to the show, the J-35 (originally known as the FC-31) performed in the flying display – its first ever aerial performance – albeit only flying a single pass. This provided confirmation that the J-35 is edging towards entering service, which would make China only the second nation behind the United States to field multiple fifth generation fighter types. The J-35A exhibited in Zhuhai was subtly different to the prototype J-35s seen conducting test flights and static display appearances in previous years.
China also unveiled notable new variants of existing types. The Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark – a licence-built version of the Sukhoi Su-30 – was unveiled in two new carrier-capable versions: the J-15D electronic warfare version and the J-15T multirole combat aircraft. Both types are likely already in limited service, but had not performed at an airshow before. A mock-up of the J-20S was also presented. This twin-seat version of the J-20 will be the first dual-place fifth generation fighter in the world.
Other Chinese types on show included the now-familiar Xi’an Y-20A strategic airlifter, JL-10A jet trainer, Changhe Z-10 attack helicopter, Changhe Z-8CJ transport helicopter and J-20A fifth-generation multirole fighter – in addition to the country’s two jet aerobatic teams, Red Falcon and August 1st.
Although not a world debut, Russia made a notable contribution to the flying display by dispatching its Su-57E to Zhuhai. The thrust-vectoring Su-57 performed an incredible display in the hands of famed Sukhoi test pilot Sergei Bogdan, performing pedal turns, J-turns, the Kulbit and even a manoeuvre akin to the “frisbee”, normally the domain of light aerobatic types such as the Extra 330. With the J-35, J-20 and Su-57 all appearing in the flying display, Airshow China 2024 was the first to feature three different families of fifth generation fighter.