As per a new Pentagon report, the grouping of FC-31, J-10C, and JF-17 aircraft is increasingly cementing China’s position as one of the prominent entities in the global combat aviation marketplace.
China’s aerial industry is currently undergoing a period of swift expansion and technological modernization. While actively continuing development of new manned and unmanned combat planes for its own needs, Beijing is simultaneously preparing to increase exports of at least three fighters already in serial production. This conclusion is reached in the unclassified version of the Pentagon’s annual report to the US Congress on the state and growth of China’s armed forces, released recently.
The latest document from the US Department of Defense does not contain much fundamentally new data regarding specific aviation projects of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Simultaneously, the paper notes the emergence over the past 12 months of two low-observable aircraft—planes which are now informally designated as J-36 and J-50. Among other recent advancements are the fifth-generation J-35A fighter and the J-15D carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft. It is specifically emphasized that the new over-the-horizon radar and control plane based on the Y-20B transport is “intended for detection and tracking of advanced stealth aerial vehicles.”
One of the report’s most significant findings was the assertion that China intends to bring its carrier count to six by 2035. This will provide the fleet with a total of nine vessels of this class (the third carrier—”Fujian”—began its initial sea trials in May). Recent satellite imagery suggests progress in the construction of a fourth carrier, which is anticipated to be China’s first vessel of this type with a nuclear propulsion system. Concurrently, news is emerging that Beijing might also continue work on at least one more carrier utilizing a conventional power plant. Should these ambitions be verified, the gap between China’s carrier forces and the US Navy, which operates 11 active nuclear aircraft carriers, will narrow at an accelerated pace.
Regarding export fighters, the Pentagon highlights three main models: the Shenyang FC-31 fifth-generation fighter (export variant of the J-35), the Chengdu J-10C fourth-generation fighter, and the JF-17. The latter, also known as Thunder, is a joint Sino-Pakistani development and is not in service with the PLAAF.
As of May 2025, the Pentagon notes that the FC-31 still lacks confirmed export orders. However, the report indicates the presence of “interested clientele,” naming Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates among them.
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