Egypt Emerges as a Potential Buyer of the J-35A Fifth-Generation Fighter

For these historic drills, China deployed three significant aerial assets: the J-10C multirole fighter jet, the YU-20 aerial refueling tanker, and, importantly, the KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft—a key component for network-centric warfare. This deployment signifies the first occasion that China has sent the KJ-500 AEW&C platform to engage in a joint aerial exercise on foreign territory, showcasing Beijing’s increasing confidence in presenting its airborne command-and-control capabilities internationally.

The exercise, which took place from mid-April to early May at Wadi Abu Rish, also acted as a venue to illustrate China’s growing airpower diplomacy and the market potential of its next-generation aircraft. Cairo’s participation in these exercises aligns with emerging reports indicating that the Egyptian Air Force is contemplating the acquisition of up to 40 J-10CE fighters, a modern Chinese export variant of the J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” outfitted with the advanced PL-15 beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile.

The J-10CE, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, provides a cost-effective yet highly capable multirole combat performance, making it an appealing choice for air forces in search of alternatives to Western platforms amid geopolitical and financial challenges.

In a related update, China’s J-35A—its second fifth-generation stealth fighter following the J-20—reportedly completed its first official flight recently as part of a long-awaited mass production rollout.

Imagery and video of the aircraft flying over a Chinese urban centre have gone viral on local social media, hinting at Beijing’s readiness to introduce the jet into active service or foreign demonstrations.

Produced by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), the J-35A is designed for both domestic and export markets, with Pakistan widely rumoured to be its first international customer—part of China’s broader strategy to proliferate stealth capabilities among strategic partners.

📸 Chinese delegation in Cairo promoting 5th generation J-35 fighter jet to the Egyptian Air Force.

J-10C also visible at the back. pic.twitter.com/4DuiU50NCV

— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 11, 2025

A lead designer at SAC’s Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute, a key unit under China’s state-owned aviation conglomerate AVIC, detailed several of the fighter’s advanced systems in a December interview with Global Times.

The J-35A is engineered for stealth operations in contested airspace, designed to counter both fourth- and fifth-generation adversaries while conducting precision strikes on enemy air defence networks and critical ground targets.

According to SAC engineers, the aircraft’s mission set includes intercepting enemy aircraft, bombers, and cruise missiles, asserting dominance across both aerial and surface domains.

As a networked battle coordinator, the J-35A is designed to acquire, process, and transmit targeting data in real time—facilitating coordinated strikes with surface-based missile systems and other aerial assets to counter stealth and low-RCS threats.

The internal weapons bay accommodates long-range munitions like the PL-17, allowing for deep penetration strike capabilities without compromising the aircraft’s radar profile—crucial for missions in heavily defended areas.

Its sensor suite features an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar along with distributed infrared and optical sensors, providing extensive situational awareness and multi-domain lethality similar to the U.S. F-35’s “quarterback” function in network-centric warfare.

On the exterior, the J-35A is designed for stealth and aerodynamic efficiency, characterized by a sleek fuselage, V-tail configuration, and serrated edge panels aimed at minimizing radar signature and aerodynamic drag.

In contrast to the canard-configured J-20, the J-35A employs a more traditional tail design with canted vertical stabilizers, achieving a balance between maneuverability and low observability.

Its dual-engine configuration delivers enhanced thrust and redundancy compared to single-engine models like the F-35, though it incurs a minor tradeoff in radar cross-section due to its larger structure.

Stealth capabilities are significantly improved by incorporating radar-absorbent materials (RAM), flush-mounted sensors, low-IR exhaust management, and seamless airframe transitions that reduce visibility across all detectable spectra.

In operational terms, the J-35A is set to succeed older fighter models like the J-7, J-8, and earlier J-10 variants, allowing China to establish a contemporary air force that can perform joint-domain operations throughout Asia and beyond. Besides the land-based model, China is also working on a carrier-based version of the J-35, tailored for naval missions on PLA Navy aircraft carriers such as the Type 003 “Fujian,” highlighting its versatility across multiple domains.

In the wider regional landscape, Egypt’s increasing interest in Chinese stealth technology coincides with various Middle Eastern countries seeking alternatives to Western military systems due to changing political dynamics, arms restrictions, or considerations of cost-effectiveness. As strategic environments in the Middle East evolve into a more multipolar framework—incorporating U.S., Russian, Turkish, and now Chinese defense entities—Cairo’s potential adoption of the J-35A may indicate a broader transformation in alliance frameworks and military supply networks within the region.