For a long time, a stealth fighter with the code name FC-31 has been surrounded by mystery regarding its development path. Initially, it was presented as an “export model” and seemed to not be a top priority for China’s Air Force, which led to widespread speculation about its future direction.
However, this seemingly “self-purposed” fighter has revealed an astonishing speed of transformation and potential. It has not only been selected by the Chinese Navy and upgraded into the J-35, the future mainstay fighter for aircraft carriers, but its export version, the J-31, has also received international orders. Recent evidence even suggests that China’s Air Force has developed the J-31B, a more advanced version for its own use.
What does this multi-model, multi-purpose, multi-service stealth fighter cluster indicate about China’s long-term strategic planning for future air and space warfare?
The Stealth Technology Path and China’s Aviation Ambitions:
In June 2025, during the Middle Eastern conflicts, the U.S. B-2 stealth bomber successfully struck Iranian underground facilities, once again showcasing the key role stealth technology plays in modern warfare. The core advantage of this technology lies in drastically reducing the likelihood of detection by radar, giving it the valuable ability to “discover and strike first.”
With the rapid development of radar technology and artificial intelligence algorithms, anti-stealth technology is also evolving. Military observers note that active radar and passive radar are the two primary forms of counter-stealth technologies, each with its own advantages.
Despite the growing challenges from anti-stealth technologies, the short-term advantages of stealth fighters in aerial combat remain significant. The operationalization of counter-stealth technologies is still facing many issues, meaning that expensive advanced stealth aircraft like the U.S. B-2, F-35, and F-22 will maintain their strategic value in the foreseeable future.
Globally, developing stealth fighters requires complex technologies that only a few countries can tackle. As of 2024, only twelve countries have deployed stealth fighters, with China, the U.S., and Russia being the only nations capable of independent development and mass production of such aircraft. Other countries rely on U.S. supplies for their stealth fighter needs.
China’s Aviation Industry and Technological Leap:
China’s aviation industry has evolved from learning and imitation to independent innovation. Since the 1950s, Chinese aviation pioneers have overcome numerous obstacles, progressing from repairing aircraft to replicating designs and eventually developing their own. The Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (Shenyang Aviation) has played a pivotal role in this journey.
In the new century, China’s aviation industry made significant leaps, breaking through core, key, and frontier technologies. The successful development of the J-10 marked a transition from second-generation to third-generation fighters, while the emergence of the J-20 placed China among the select few countries capable of independently developing and deploying fifth-generation stealth fighters.
The Need for a Medium Stealth Fighter:
In this context, China’s need for a medium-sized stealth fighter has become increasingly clear. The competition in international military aviation is fierce, and the complex battlefield environments of the future demand more than just heavy stealth fighters. Medium-sized stealth fighters offer a better cost-performance ratio, more flexible deployment capabilities, and greater export potential. They can complement heavy fighters to optimize China’s aerial combat system.
The FC-31, originally developed as an export model by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, is a twin-engine, single-seat medium fighter that successfully flew its first prototype on October 31, 2012. It features a conventional aerodynamic layout with a DSI (divergent supersonic inlet) air intake, trapezoidal wings, inclined twin vertical tails, and an internal weapons bay, showcasing typical stealth fighter characteristics. The FC-31 also boasts excellent electronic warfare capabilities, making it ideal for a wide range of combat scenarios.
J-31 Series: Multi-dimensional Evolution
As China accelerates its naval modernization, particularly with the launch of the “Fujian” aircraft carrier, the need for a fifth-generation carrier-based fighter became more pressing. This led to the further development of the FC-31 into the J-35, China’s future main carrier-based stealth fighter.
The J-35 underwent several key modifications for carrier operations, including reinforced landing gear to withstand the high-intensity launch and landing impacts on aircraft carriers, and a foldable wing design to optimize space on the carrier’s limited deck. It also features advanced systems for precision landing and improved flight safety in challenging sea conditions.
In terms of performance, the J-35’s stealth design includes a diamond-shaped nose, S-shaped air intakes, and angled twin vertical tails, all contributing to its low radar cross-section. The aircraft’s radar cross-section (RCS) is approximately 0.01 square meters, allowing it to detect enemy aircraft first and gain the initiative in combat.
Equipped with a modified WS-13E engine and slated for future upgrades to the WS-19 “Huangshan” engine, the J-35 is expected to have a combat radius exceeding 1300 kilometers with standard weapon payloads, making it well-suited for long-range naval operations.
J-31B: China’s Air Force Upgrade
Parallel to the J-35’s development, the J-31’s export version, the J-31B, is now also being developed for the Chinese Air Force. As the Air Force’s heavy fighter fleet (J-20) continues to expand, the need for a medium stealth fighter like the J-31B has become evident.
The J-31B, designed with air combat in mind, will play a key role in China’s air force. One of its most distinctive features is its side-mounted weapons bays, capable of carrying two air-to-air missiles each, a capability not found in other fifth-generation fighters like the F-22, J-20, or F-35.
In addition to its advanced side-bay design, the J-31B is expected to carry a range of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, including the PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile and PL-10 close combat missile, giving it the combat capabilities necessary to match the J-20.
The Future of Stealth Fighter Clusters:
On September 3, 2025, China’s military made history during the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. During the grand military parade in Beijing, five types of active stealth fighters were displayed in a stunning formation, including the J-35, J-35A, J-20, J-20A, and J-20S.
The J-35A, a variant of the J-35, was showcased as a versatile fighter for air superiority and ground/sea strike missions. The J-20, China’s heavy stealth fighter, was displayed alongside its upgraded versions, the J-20A and the world’s only two-seat stealth fighter, the J-20S.
Looking ahead, China’s aviation industry will continue its innovative path, making breakthroughs in materials, engines, avionics, artificial intelligence, and unmanned aerial vehicle collaboration. The explosion of stealth fighter development is just one part of China’s broader military modernization effort.
References:
- “China’s Stealth Fighter Development: A Milestone in Aviation Industry,” Military Today, September 2025.
- “J-31 and J-35: China’s Stealth Fighter Evolution,” Aviation Weekly, 2025.
