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Hayley Wong

For the first time, China has unveiled the production facilities of its fifth-generation fighters, hinting at the aircrafts’ readiness for carrier-based catapult launchers.
At least two J-35 fighter jets were spotted in a hangar of its developer, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, during an interview with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday.
The stealth aircraft – covered in green paint – were in the background as the TV anchor introduced the J-15T, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter that can be launched by a catapult.


Li Guoen, a test pilot for J-15 fighters of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), said the J-15T had been upgraded from the J-15, with thicker struts, a catapult tow bar and dual-wheel landing gear.
The efficiency of energy absorption of the front landing gear remained a major technical challenge, he said in the interview.
“You can see that the landing gear is very thick … we hope to make this structure slimmer and lighter in the future as that would give the aircraft better control.”

The report did not mention the J-35, but its shipborne version, as well as the naval fighter J-15T, are expected to be deployed on China’s third aircraft carrier.
The Type 003 carrier Fujian – equipped with advanced electromagnetic catapults to allow more efficient and frequent take-offs than the conventional ski jump – is undergoing sea trials and is expected to be commissioned by the end of this year.

Song Zhongping, a military commentator and a former PLA instructor, said the J-35 fighters in the hangar were likely to be carrier-based versions painted with a corrosion-resistant coating, a layer required before brushing on the livery or aircraft colours.
He said it was the first time that production facilities for the J-35 had been shown publicly and that it was an indication that the aircraft was in mass production.
The shipborne J-15T and the land-based version of the J-35 debuted in the Zhuhai Airshow in November. The J-15T was on show during the visit to Hong Kong last week of the Shandong, China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier.
In recent years, China has rapidly modernised its naval fleet. It has also accelerated the speed of its fighter upgrades over the past decade, overtaking the United States in sixth-generation military aircraft development.
In a separate interview with CCTV on Tuesday, chief J-15 designer Sun Cong said China’s aircraft carriers were now “equipped with basic elements required” to make the PLA a “deep blue-water” navy.
“The fighters are being made like mobile phones as the functions are now software-based, so the systems and software could be designed separately [to boost efficiency],” he said.


The Shenyang-based plane manufacturer is expanding its production facilities, with footage of the progress appearing in reports of a visit by Liaoning governor Wang Xinwei to the company.
Liaoning Television’s clips of Wang’s visit to Shenyang Aircraft Corporation on Tuesday showed vast construction sites. The clips did not offer explanation of the work at the sites.
The regional company is a subsidiary of the state-owned aerospace and defence giant Aviation Industry Corporation of China.
According to a company notice in August 2023, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation aimed to invest 8.6 billion yuan to build a new production site 4.2 sq km in area over five years but did not specify a deadline.


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Fifth-generation fighters make cameo appearance as China unveils production facilities

China’s J-35A stealth fighter jet took part in the Zhuhai airshow in November. New CCTV footage suggests a carrier-based version of the J-35 is in mass production, according to a military analyst. Photo: Xinhua

During a CCTV report on Tuesday, at least two J-35 fighter jets were spotted in a hangar of its developer, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. The stealth aircraft, painted green, can be seen in the background. Photo: CCTV

The CCTV report from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation suggests the fighter is a carrier-based version painted with corrosion-resistant coating, according to an analyst. Photo: CCTV

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Chinese state media has shown the Shandong and Liaoning aircraft carriers engaging in drills featuring reconnaissance and early warning, defensive and counterstrike operations as well as assaults and tactical flights. Photo: Xinhua

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Analysts say China’s J-36 fighter has an “innovative design with good stealth characteristics”, based on photos that have circulated on social media in recent weeks. Photo: Weibo/铁皮摄影师 

The latest photo of the J-36 fighter, which started circulating on social media on Saturday, is the first to show the jet on the ground. Photo: Handout

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The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong on Thursday at the start of its first visit to Hong Kong. Photo: Sam Tsang

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China

Military

State broadcaster shows the J-15T, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter that can be launched from a catapult


State broadcaster shows the J-15T, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter that can be launched from a catapult.


Fifth-generation fighters make cameo appearance as China unveils production facilities

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}State broadcaster shows the J-15T, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter that can be launched from a catapult

State broadcaster shows the J-15T, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter that can be launched from a catapult