Is Chinese naval air power ready for action?
The J-35A flying at Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons/中国新闻社)
What role will the new jets and aircraft carriers of the People’s Liberation Army Navy play in Beijing’s wider fleet?
Much has been made of China’s ambitions to become a full-spectrum ‘blue water’ naval power, with a necessarily potent embarked aviation arm. With new information emerging about the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aircraft carriers and the fast jets they will deploy, it is timely to examine what role these assets will play, and how Beijing intends to integrate them into the wider fleet.
Around three years ago, the first images appeared of what was thought to be the PLAN’s new fighter aircraft. This was a wholly indigenous design, initially given the designation FC-31.
At the Zhuhai Airshow in November
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year]()
Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year
The counter-UAS prototype, named Low-cost Air Defence or ‘LOAD’, will be used to combat kamikaze UAS.
-
![Boeing to remanufacture five more US Army MH-47G Block II Chinooks]()
Boeing to remanufacture five more US Army MH-47G Block II Chinooks
The contract award, worth $240 million, is part of the ongoing effort by the US Army to modernise its Block II Chinook rotorcraft fleet.
-
![Avalon 2025: BAE Systems eyes customers for its Strix after initial flight]()
Avalon 2025: BAE Systems eyes customers for its Strix after initial flight
The Strix test effort suffered a setback last year when the prototype incurred minor damage in a hard landing during its second trial flight.
