Has China given the first sign it’s ready to export its J-35A fighter jet to Pakistan?

China’s state broadcaster has given a glimpse of the first export variant of the J-35A – the country’s second land-based fifth-generation fighter jet – with Pakistan the most likely recipient, according to reports and analysis.

The CCTV clip featured during the “2026 May 1st International Labour Day ‘Heart to Heart’ Special Programme” shows a J-35A model bearing the serial number 001 rolling out of the hangar with the logo of China’s largest military aircraft manufacturer, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

In the programme aired on Friday night, the aircraft had the AVIC acronym, rather than the People’s Liberation Army Air Force logo, a sign it is an export variant.

China has shown small models of the J-35A at international defence exhibitions, but it was the first time the export variant of the aircraft, dubbed the J-35AE, has been unveiled as a full operational model.

Hong Kong military commentator Liang Guoliang said the plane shown on CCTV was the J-35AE “complete product” that was “ready for export”.

The J-35AE shown in the footage is equipped with a teal-coated electro-optical targeting system (EOTS), signalling advanced sensor maturity and survivability against infrared tracking, laser interference and multi-spectrum detection.

“The EOTS is internally integrated into the fuselage, indicating a typical layout for a stealth fighter because using an electro-optical pod would compromise its stealth capabilities. Therefore, it is considered a complete product,” Liang said.

South China Morning Post