Chinese manufacturer Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) has shown new progress in the production of the stealth fighter J-35 by releasing images and videos of the aircraft in the air and parked on the runway, with green primer paint, indicating units just coming off the production line.
The model, which has already been integrated into the Chinese armed forces, is considered one of the country’s most important fifth-generation projects, with versions for both the navy and air force.
According to state media, SAC completed the main assembly plant of its new industrial complex in Liaoning in the first half of last year and officially began assembling the planes. The factory is expected to enter mass production later this year, with the aim of doubling production capacity over the next three to five years, supported by an intelligent manufacturing system and an integrated industrial supply chain.
The new complex is part of the “Shenyang Aerospace City” project, which will cover an area the size of Hong Kong Island and house facilities such as the final assembly line and its own aircraft testing runway. The total investment for the new facility is estimated at more than $1.2 billion, reinforcing China’s commitment to expanding its military aviation industry.
The J-35 is already operational on the Fujian aircraft carrier, China’s first to be equipped with electromagnetic catapults, and its naval and land versions were presented to the public during a major military parade in Beijing.
Experts believe that the recent appearance of the green-primed aircraft indicates that the J-35A has entered mass production and is in advanced testing, reflecting Beijing’s efforts to accelerate its defense capabilities and narrow the technological gap with the United States.
SAC released a video showing the first maiden flights of two J-35 for 2026. pic.twitter.com/i70DsZ128j
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) January 6, 2026
Hear the engines roar on our J-35.
One of only two types of 5th gen carrier-based fighters in the world. pic.twitter.com/syO1j2NkBW
— Zhao DaShuai Northeastern Studying🇨🇳 (@zhao_dashuai) January 6, 2026
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Bron: South China Morning Post | Photo: This content was created using AI and reviewed by the editorial team
