Beijing: Amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, China has reportedly tested a new type of ship-borne fighter jet on its aircraft carrier, the Liaoning. According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, the unidentified fighter jet carried out take-off tests on the Liaoning, China’s first aircraft carrier. This revelation was part of the Chinese documentary “Quenching,” which, while featuring footage of the J-15 “Flying Shark” from 12 years ago, provided no visuals or detailed information about the new jet. The exact timing of these tests remains unclear, as reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
The documentary features Zhang, an operator of the aircraft take-off control group unit, who was responsible for releasing fighter jets to the ski jump ramp and overseeing their launches.
“I’m close to the end of my service career, and the new fighter on board of our ship looks so pretty. It was a sunny day [when we tested the new fighter jet] – just as good as the day when the J-15 had its first take-off flight,” Zhang was quoted as saying.
China’s Next-Generation Fighter Jet
The new fighter jet, speculated to be the J-31 or J-35, is intended for deployment on China’s aircraft carriers. These jets are expected to operate alongside the current J-15 air wings in various formations. Touted as China’s answer to the fifth-generation US F-35 fighter jet developed by Lockheed Martin, the new jet is likely a variant of the earlier FC-31 prototype, developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation.
In April, several photographs circulating online showed what appeared to be one of these new aircraft stationed on the deck of the Liaoning, sparking speculation about its capabilities and readiness for deployment.
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China’s Advancing Naval Capabilities
The documentary released by CCTV also included footage of a sea trial conducted in May involving China’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian. This sea trial marks a significant step in China’s efforts to bolster its naval aviation capabilities amid growing regional security concerns.
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China’s development of these advanced jets signals a strategic effort to enhance its maritime power projection, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. With the capability to deploy next-generation fighter jets on its carriers, China aims to strengthen its position in contested waters, raising concerns among neighboring countries and global powers.
