China’s J-31 vs. US Navy F-35C: 5th-Gen Ocean Stealth Air War

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military modernization

The People’s Liberation Army – Navy appears to be fast-tracking its prototype carrier-launched 5th-generation J-31 stealth fighter, a move which would appear to rival the already deployed US Navy F-35C.

The most known element of China’s J-31 carrier-launched stealth fighter may simply be that there are not many of them, given that the PRC newspaper cite two prototypes and the aircraft does not appear to be fully operational yet.

However, the aircraft does present a potential threat the Pentagon is likely to take seriously, as it would be the PLA Navy’s first ever carrier-launched 5th-generation fighter, an aircraft likely engineered to rival the US Navy’s F-35C. The PLA seems far behind when it comes to engineering any kind of F-35B equivalent, or 5th-generation aircraft able to deploy vertically from amphibious assault ships, yet it does cite pictures and publish news reports about its emerging J-31. This aircraft has what appears to be a very similar operational purpose when compared to F-35C, the US Navy’s carrier-launched variant of the Joint Strike Fighter. It may take several years before the PLA can field an impactful operational force of J-31s, however its existence would give China a previously unprecedented power projection capability. A PLA Navy 5th-generation carrier-based stealth aircraft will enable the PLA-N to launch stealth air attacks in previously unreachable areas of the world. China could hold enemies at risk in new ways across parts of the world where it seeks and pursues greater influence and power. For example, the PRC is well known for seeking to expand its economic and military influence in places such as Africa and South America. The PLA has built its own military base right near the US’ existing base in Djibouti on the horn of Africa, and the PRC is known to be aggressively investing in Africa and other places where it seeks greater influence. All of this aligns with the well-documented Chinese ambition to become the world’s undisputed global military power by its centennial in 2049, if not much sooner.

How might the J-31 rival the F-35C?