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China Plans To Export J-31 Stealth Fighter
Nov. 10, 2014 - 06:45PM | By WENDELL MINNICK
A model of the J-31 fighter is shown at the 2012 Zhuhai airshow. China announced at the current show that it would export the stealthy aircraft. (Wendell Minnick/Staff)
ZHUHAI, CHINA — China plans to export its stealthy twin-engine J-31 fighter, which would become the first aircraft of its kind available to global customers who cannot afford the Lockheed Martin F-35. The fighter is similar in configuration to the single-engine F-35 stealth fighter.
The J-31 export revelation occurred in the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) Exhibition Hall after personnel unwrapped its 1:2 model of the aircraft Nov. 10 during a preshow tour of this week’s Airshow China in Zhuhai. The placard for the model states: “FC-31 4th Generation Multi-Purpose Medium Fighter.”
Chinese fighters are designated with a “J” for fighter and “FC” for export,” and this is the first time the J-31 has been referred to as the FC-31.
Though overcast, a J-31 performed a demonstration flight during the preshow tour, as did the Russian Su-35 multirole fighter. China and Russia are expected to sign a deal for export of the Su-35 sometime later this month.
The 10th biennial China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China) has been an outlet for defense companies to market new products for export and for China’s military to show off sophisticated weapon systems. The Nov. 11-16 airshow has become the biggest commercial and defense airshow in Asia with over 700 companies exhibiting. ■
Email: wminnick@defensenews.com.