J-35 “0001” fighter jet makes debut, igniting domestic and international public opinion

This is not a regular equipment display. The aircraft does not bear the "Eight One" emblem of the Air Force, and its paint scheme is different from the version in service with the military. The English abbreviation of Aviation Industry Corporation, "AVIC," is very prominent. This detail quickly sparked discussions in domestic and international media: has the "export version" of the J-35A finally been officially unveiled? How will this uniquely numbered stealth fighter impact the global air power balance?

Fu Qianshao: This new J-35 bears the serial number “0001,” clearly distinct from previous numbering systems. In its early developmental phase—prior to formal project approval—the J-31 prototype was designated FC-31; consequently, its factory serial numbers all incorporated the digits “31.” Upon formal service entry, both the PLAAF and PLAN assign their own unique serial numbers, resulting in substantial changes to the factory numbering. However, a designation such as “0001” would never appear in either service’s numbering system. Thus, the “0001” serial number represents a third type of designation. Furthermore, considering the English abbreviations painted on the aircraft, it is highly likely that this variant is intended for export. Since the FC-31 was originally developed with export as a key objective, and since the aircraft has now matured and entered service with both the PLAAF and PLAN, a third variant—likely designated the J-35AE—has inevitably emerged.

The People's Liberation Army Air Force's domestically used aircraft never bear the "AVIC" logo, yet this J-35 with serial number "0001" not only displays the English abbreviation but also taxied out from a hangar marked with English lettering—all details indicate:

As a fifth-generation stealth fighter independently developed by China, according to Fu Qianshao, the J-35 series is highly likely to become a key export aircraft in the next phase, unleashing a true “storm” in the global high-end fighter jet market.