In a development with significant implications for regional security, Chinese media reports suggest that China's latest naval stealth fighter jet, the J-35, is now in service.
This advancement is viewed by many as a direct response to the American F-35, signaling China's intent to challenge U.S. military supremacy and regional rivals like India.
While official confirmation is still pending, Chinese state media reports indicate that the J-35 has been tested on the aircraft carrier Liaoning, and experts believe it is ready for deployment. This would allow the jet to operate not only on China's newest carrier, the Fujian, but also on its older carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong.
China's growing aircraft carrier fleet, coupled with the introduction of the J-35, is expected to significantly enhance the country's naval power projection capabilities.
This development has direct implications for India. With China's ambitions to operate six carriers by 2035 and deploy a carrier battle group in the Indian Ocean by 2025-26, the J-35 is likely to be stationed in the region, potentially facing off against India’s Rafale M jets.
The J-35's advanced stealth technology, twin-engine design, and powerful weaponry could pose a considerable challenge to regional naval forces, including India's. The Indian Navy currently operates two carriers equipped with MiG-29K jets, which are considered outdated compared to the J-35.
India, currently operating the MiG-29K on its carriers, is in the process of procuring 26 Rafale M jets from France as an interim solution. The Rafale M is expected to provide a significant boost to India's naval air power, but the long-term plan involves the development and deployment of the indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF).
The development of the J-35 underscores the need for India to accelerate its naval modernization efforts. The advancement of China's naval capabilities, particularly with the J-35, has the potential to disrupt the balance of naval power in the region, highlighting the urgency for India to enhance its own naval forces to maintain regional competitiveness.
