China Executes Engineer for Leaking J-35A Stealth Fighter Espionage Information

In a development that has alarmed China’s national security community, a former assistant defense engineer named Liu has received a death sentence for disclosing classified information regarding China’s J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighter to foreign intelligence agencies.

The Ministry of State Security (MSS) has publicly acknowledged the espionage incident in a rare and emphatic statement, highlighting the vulnerabilities within China’s internal security and the potential repercussions for its military advancements.

Liu’s case has sparked extensive discussion on Chinese social media, with many users expressing concerns about the nature of the security breach and its impact on China’s future fighter programs.

According to the state-run Global Times, the MSS has officially confirmed the long-speculated case, detailing Liu’s espionage actions and the severity of the breach. Liu was previously an assistant engineer at a prominent defense research institute focused on military aviation technology.

Sources from the MSS indicated that Liu became disillusioned after being overlooked for a promotion, which led him to illegally copy, store, and eventually sell sensitive defense documents.

After resigning, Liu briefly took a position at an investment firm, but significant financial losses from risky stock trading and unauthorized credit withdrawals compelled him to find alternative sources of income, ultimately resulting in his decision to sell state secrets for profit, as reported by Global Times.

Chinese security officials report that Liu conducted meticulously planned intelligence operations, employing advanced strategies to remain undetected. He fragmented and organized sensitive defense documents prior to their transmission, established numerous online accounts for receiving covert payments, and utilized anonymous integrated circuits and SIM cards, frequently altering his communication methods to avoid surveillance. Liu operated under various aliases and employed prearranged codes for secure exchanges.

Over a span of six months, he traveled to several countries, allegedly leaking critical Chinese defense intelligence to foreign agents. However, his foreign handlers severed ties with him after obtaining valuable information at a minimal cost, leaving Liu exposed and vulnerable. Instead of ceasing his activities, Liu enhanced his espionage techniques and sought to reconnect with foreign intelligence agencies. His actions raised alarms within China’s national security framework, prompting extensive surveillance that ultimately led to his arrest during a covert counterintelligence operation.

The Ministry of State Security (MSS) reported that Liu was found guilty of espionage and the unlawful transfer of state secrets. The court imposed the death penalty, along with a lifetime ban on political rights, highlighting the severity of his crimes.

Beijing has reiterated that national security is a top priority, warning that espionage and unauthorized intelligence leaks will incur the most severe legal consequences. At Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, Beijing revealed the first official images of the J-35A, a significant milestone in China’s goal to lead in next-generation aerial combat. The J-35A is China’s second fifth-generation stealth fighter, following the J-20 Mighty Dragon, which remains a non-exportable platform due to its highly classified avionics and radar-evading capabilities.

With the introduction of the J-35A, China joins the United States as one of the only countries to operate two unique fifth-generation fighter jets:
China: J-35A & J-20 Mighty Dragon
United States: F-35 Lightning II & F-22 Raptor
This significant advancement highlights China’s expanding aerospace capabilities and its ambition to compete with Western air superiority, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

Developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the J-35A is anticipated to fulfill two primary roles:
A land-based variant for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)
A carrier-capable version designed for catapult-assisted takeoff, enhancing the capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF)
While specific technical details are not publicly available, several key features have been revealed:
Stealth-Optimized Design: Incorporates a minimized radar cross-section (RCS) and internal weapon bays to improve survivability in contested environments.
Next-Gen Avionics: Outfitted with sophisticated sensor fusion and electronic warfare systems, enhancing situational awareness and targeting precision.
Enhanced Speed and Maneuverability: Achieves speeds of up to Mach 2.0, exceeding the F-35’s Mach 1.6, with dual engines that provide exceptional thrust and agility.

The development of the J-35A highlights China’s increasing maritime air power, particularly as it enhances its aircraft carrier capabilities.
The jet is expected to operate from China’s newest Type 003 carrier, the Fujian, which features advanced electromagnetic catapult launch systems (EMALS)—a technology similar to that used on the U.S. Navy’s Ford-class carriers.
China’s pursuit of fifth-generation carrier-based capabilities poses a direct challenge to the U.S. military’s established air dominance in the Pacific.
As tensions escalate in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, the J-35A is set to play a crucial role in Beijing’s strategy for regional airpower projection.

As the United States and its allies bolster their military presence in the Indo-Pacific, notably through the deployment of F-35s in Japan, South Korea, and Australia, China’s J-35A emerges as a direct response to U.S. air operations in the area.

The espionage case involving Liu serves as a stark illustration of the serious risks associated with military intelligence leaks. His rapid trial and execution underscore China’s stringent stance on national security threats, especially as Beijing aims to safeguard its most sensitive military initiatives from foreign espionage.

Additionally, the introduction of the J-35A at Airshow China 2024 reinforces China’s ascent as a significant player in the global aerospace sector, with potential ramifications for future aerial confrontations and shifts in strategic power.

As China continues to expand its fleet of stealth fighters, the competition for air superiority between Beijing and Washington is expected to escalate in the coming years. The Indo-Pacific region has become a pivotal battleground, where advancements in fifth-generation fighter technology will influence the future of air warfare and shape the balance of power for decades ahead.