In the latest images of the Liaoning aircraft carrier, a “completely black” model of the J-35 stealth carrier-based aircraft is prominently parked on the deck, drawing significant attention to the ongoing upgrade work on the Liaoning, which has been underway for nearly a year. Military analysts from domestic media suggest that this move indicates that the J-35 stealth fighter, besides being deployed on the Fujian aircraft carrier, will also be stationed on the Liaoning and Shandong carriers. The most significant implication of this move is that it will eliminate the generational gap in carrier-based aircraft between China and the United States.
According to a military column on Tencent, judging from the images, the aircraft parked on the rear deck of the Liaoning is not a full-scale model of the J-15 carrier-based aircraft, as it is tightly wrapped in rainproof cloth. Its overall profile and characteristics such as the inclined twin tail fins indicate that this aircraft is not the J-15 but rather the J-35 carrier-based aircraft. “The appearance of the J-35 model on the Liaoning’s deck has only one explanation: the Liaoning will carry J-35 carrier-based fighters.”
The report points out that previously, both domestically and internationally, it was generally believed that the J-35 stealth fighter was intended specifically for the Fujian carrier or a similar electromagnetic catapult-type carrier. Analysts suggest that once the Fujian carrier is equipped with catapult-launched J-35s, not only will it enable China’s third aircraft carrier to officially carry fifth-generation fighters, but it will also eliminate the gap between Chinese and American carrier-based aircraft.
“Based on the current situation, despite the difficulty in retrofitting electromagnetic catapults onto the Liaoning and Shandong carriers, these two carriers with ski-jump decks may still carry J-35 carrier-based aircraft, thereby enabling China’s naval carrier battle group to catch up with the United States in terms of carrier-based aircraft.”
The report analysis indicates that the combat capabilities of US and UK carriers, as well as the amphibious assault ships of Japan and South Korea, have significantly surpassed those of countries without stealth carrier-based aircraft after retrofitting them with F-35 carrier-based aircraft. According to the exchange ratio of F-35s to fourth-generation fighters published by the US, Japan’s amphibious assault ship Kaga, retrofitted with 12 F-35Bs, will be able to counter aircraft carriers carrying over a hundred fourth-generation fighters. This is also the main reason why Japan and South Korea have gained more confidence in confronting Chinese aircraft carriers after retrofitting their amphibious assault ships.
Domestic media believe that the J-35 is the world’s first carrier-based stealth fighter outside the United States. If it can be deployed on both the Shandong and Liaoning carriers, both of which have ski-jump decks, and undergo electromagnetic catapult launches on the Fujian carrier, it will bring significant combat power to China’s naval carrier battle group. Although ski-jump takeoff may affect the weapon payload of the J-35, it is not an absolute factor affecting combat power. Coupled with the J-15, it can still become the main force in the battle for maritime and airspace control.
Analysis suggests that the J-35 is currently undergoing deployment tests on the Liaoning and similar tests will also be conducted on the Shandong. Ultimately, the J-35 will be deployed on all three of China’s existing aircraft carriers, leading to a significant change in the comprehensive combat power of China’s carrier battle group. Even though China’s current aircraft carriers still lag behind US supercarriers in overall performance, they will at least be able to confront them head-on, rather than being completely overwhelmed. Moreover, this move will provide valuable time for China to build a significant number of electromagnetic catapult-type nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.