The U.S. Air Force (USAF) has finally spoken out about a shocking discovery: China’s brand-new J-35A stealth fighter looks eerily similar to the U.S. F-35 Lightning II. This revelation came just days after the J-35A made its debut at the Zhuhai Air Show, causing a stir in military circles.
In an interview with Air and Space Forces Magazine on November 19, General David W. Allvin, the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, didn’t hold back. He said that China’s new stealth aircraft seems to have been inspired by the F-35. He pointed out that if you put the two side by side, you’d see the resemblance and might even believe China had used the F-35 as a blueprint. This wasn’t the first time this idea came up—many have long suspected China of copying U.S. military tech, particularly the F-35, which has been one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world.
The J-35A’s first appearance came on November 5 when the Chinese military shared photos of the jet. The aircraft has already grabbed a lot of attention for its sleek design and impressive display at the air show. During the show, it performed an awe-inspiring demonstration flight, showing off its capabilities and leaving many in the crowd amazed.
A Striking Resemblance
What’s most eye-catching about the J-35A is how similar it looks to the F-35, from the shape to the design. Some aviation experts, and even people within the U.S. government, have questioned whether China might have stolen secrets about the F-35. This suspicion grew stronger when whistleblower Edward Snowden leaked documents in 2015 revealing that Chinese hackers had allegedly gained access to classified F-35 data. Even more alarming, in 2007, Lockheed Martin, the company behind the F-35, was reportedly targeted in a hacking attack.
Despite these claims, China has consistently denied any wrongdoing and even accused the U.S. of trying to stir up tensions.
The J-35A shares key features with the F-35. For instance, both aircraft have a tailplane wing design instead of the canard wings seen on China’s other stealth jet, the J-20 Mighty Dragon. And just like the F-35, the J-35A will have a version designed to land on aircraft carriers, known as the J-35. This version has already been tested on China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier, making it clear that China is serious about competing with the U.S. in the skies and seas.
At first glance, the J-35A is nearly identical to the F-35, with just a few differences. One major distinction is that the J-35A has two engines, while the F-35 is a single-engine aircraft. But the overall look—sleek and slender—is almost a carbon copy of the American fighter.
Mistakes and Backlash
The resemblance between the two jets became so confusing that even the Pentagon made a huge mistake. On Veterans Day, the F-35 Joint Program Office posted a poster on social media that featured an image of a twin-engine jet, which looked strikingly like China’s J-35. This embarrassing mix-up was quickly taken down after the public noticed.
But just because the two jets look similar doesn’t mean they’ll perform the same. The true test of an aircraft’s strength lies in its engines, radar systems, weapons, and stealth capabilities—all things still unknown about the J-35A. Some experts warn against jumping to conclusions about the J-35A’s abilities, as China has always been secretive about the specifics of its military technology.
The US Must Be Careful
General Allvin has made it clear that the U.S. needs to be aware of China’s growing air power. China already has the J-20 Mighty Dragon, an advanced stealth fighter, and is now adding the J-35A to its fleet. The rapid growth of China’s military, especially its aircraft, is starting to challenge the U.S. for dominance in the skies.
Not only is China making strides with its fighter jets, but it is also developing a new next-generation bomber, the H-20, which many believe could rival the U.S. B-21 Raider. On top of that, China is working on a sixth-generation stealth fighter, the Baidi (or “White Emperor”), which could be capable of flying in space and reaching supersonic speeds.
Allvin admitted that the U.S. must respect China’s growing military strength, but he was quick to reassure the public that the U.S. military’s strength, quality, and readiness are still unmatched. Despite the competition, he believes the U.S. will maintain its advantage—at least for now.
A New Rival in the Skies
The appearance of the J-35A has definitely set alarm bells ringing in the U.S. The U.S. Air Force is now preparing for a new era where China is rapidly catching up and might even challenge the U.S. for air superiority. As the U.S. military works to adapt and optimize, China is moving full speed ahead, unveiling new aircraft and showing that it has no intention of backing down.
The J-35A may only be the beginning of a new chapter in the race for air dominance. The U.S. is watching closely—and the world is waiting to see just how these two powerful nations will continue to compete in the skies.
