China surprised the world by flying two next generation stealth aircraft on December 26, 2025 to mark 131st birthday of Mao Zedong. Historically, China has unveiled its technological achievements on important dates or events. These demonstration flights drowned an important event, flight trial of KJ-3000 AWACS aircraft, based on Y-20 platform. There was no official announcement however, the images couldn’t have been released without the explicit approval of the Chinese government. Both these platforms are significantly different from the “White Emperor” unveiled as the sixth-generation platform by the Chinese during the Zhuhai air show. China’s progress in fighter aircraft development has been extraordinary to say the least. Flying so many different types of latest/next generation platforms speaks volumes of the research and development capability, so also the maturity in aerospace manufacturing.

Intense debate followed these demonstration flights. The analysts have christened them J-36 and J-50 based on the unconfirmed inputs originating from Chinese internet. China has signaled to the world that it is ready to compete with USA. No other nation, not even USA has displayed the capability or the capacity to unveil so many types in such a short time. The issue of whether they are truly sixth generation comes later. The fact is that these platforms are futuristic and will be refined to achieve specific characteristics to conform to a generational definition.

Each generation of fighter aircraft have been categorised by their characteristics and capabilities. This classification applies only to jet and not propeller powered aircraft. There are no watertight generational compartments or definitions.

First-generation were transonic jet engine, swept back platforms like the MiG-15 and F-86 Sabre. Second-generation fighters incorporated advancements in speed, weapons and sensors from their predecessors, these aircraft, F-104 Starfighter and MiG-21 had good radars, carried first air to air guided missiles and could fly at speeds of Mach 2.

Third-generation fighters had enhanced capabilities of radars with longer ranges and semi-active Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air to air missiles, radar warning receivers and chaff and flare dispensers like F-4 and MiG-23. Terms like datalinks, look down-shoot down, AESA radars, helmet mounted displays and cuing systems marked the fourth-generation of fighters. Multi role capability with stand-off weapons also came with the fourth-generation aircraft like F-15, F-16, Mirage-2000, MiG-29 and Su-27.

The term stealth was introduced with the fifth-generation platforms. Fifth-generation aircraft are characterised by their ability to fuse multiple onboard offensive and defensive sensors with off-board information to present smart, networked and accurate real time picture to the pilot. It combines low observable technologies to reduce visual, acoustic, IR, radar and electronic signatures of the aircraft. Distributed Aperture System (DAS) facilitates high situational awareness and reduces ambiguity, for faster and accurate decision making. The aircraft must also employ engines powerful enough for sustained supersonic flight without using afterburner, known as super cruise.

Basically, the aircraft must be capable of operating in contested environment by delaying or denying enemy systems to detect, track and engage the aircraft. While F-117 was the first stealth aircraft, F-22 is the first truly fifth generation fighter. Su-57, J-20 and F-35 also fall in this category but they do not necessarily have all the low observable features and super cruise capability.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SIXTH GENERATION AIRCRAFT

The sixth-generation aircraft is expected to be stealthier and tailless to perform air dominance and multi role/swing roles. The aircraft should operate efficiently across subsonic to supersonic regimes. It would be able to penetrate deep into enemy air space in highly contested environment. It would support high level of human-system integration with well laid out cockpit. It would have a system of systems approach, with network centric warfighting capability and sensors that see 360°. The aircraft will be powered by next generation adaptive propulsion engine to cater to high electrical and thermal demands and for operations across subsonic and high supersonic flight regimes.

The aircraft would have smart skins, be highly networked to support data to decision capability and support battlefield command, control and communications in real time using ground based, airborne and space-based sensors. It would be heavily software dependent with open architecture configuration for faster upgrades. It will be survivable, adaptable, persistent and interoperable in the air domain. It should be able to support Manned Unmanned Teaming also known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). It will integrate AI, and carry weapons internally including Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) like high-power microwaves and lasers. The platform will carry embedded sensors and integrate AI for sensor fusion and decision support to the pilot including for guiding the CCA. It could use multiplexed fiber optics bus to provide jam resistance. The aircraft should be capable of cyber warfare and very high-altitude operations. The aircraft will have dark cockpit to reduce aircraft reflective signatures and fly at hypersonic speeds in its next stage of development.

Many countries are currently pursuing the sixth-generation aircraft development. The efforts are led by USA and includes China, Russia and consortium of European nations. USA took the lead in developing the sixth-generation fighter in 2014 by announcing the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) project. The first full scale flight demonstrator flew in 2020 and no details were made public.

CHINESE FIFTH GENERATION FIGHTERS

China inducted J-20 as its first fifth generation fighter in March 2017. It is a heavy air superiority fighter with high maneuverability, stealth characteristics, advanced sensors, AESA radar, integrated EW suite, internal weapon bay and good range. The design and features bear close resemblance to USAF F-22 and F-35. Some simulations in western world indicate that the J-20 has about four times median RCS than F-35 in X-band. The aircraft also has a relatively larger RCS in the VHF band. The aircraft is also heavier, it does not super cruise, the canards stymie stealth and engine exhausts do not make it low IR observable.

While, not much is known about what exists inside the aircraft in terms of sensor fusion and networking, it is believed that technologically the aircraft may not match the two USAF fighters. So, J-20 in its present form falls short of being a true fifth generation fighter. However, the pace of technological advancements in China indicates that the aircraft is constantly evolving and maturing. The major impediment is the aero engine. This is where China finds its biggest challenge.

China unveiled J-35A stealth fighter during the recently concluded Zhuhai air show. The aircraft participated in the air display and drew a lot of appreciation. The aircraft closely resembles F-35, except that the J-35 is powered by two engines against one engine on F-35. It is believed that the lessons learnt during the development of J-20 and its operational exploitation have been incorporated in the J-35.

China is also developing its stealth bomber H-20 “Xi`an”. This aircraft is likely to be a flying wing design incorporating latest stealth technologies, making it low observable, highly networked, with large internal weapons bay and long range to strike almost anywhere in the world. This project drew inspiration from USAF B-2 bomber. Recent assessment in USA indicates that the aircraft may become operational around 2030.

CHINESE SIXTH GENERATION COMBAT AIRCRAFT

China officially unveiled its sixth-generation aircraft the “White Emperor” (Baidi) during the Zhuhai airshow in November 2024. The full scale mock up seems to incorporate most of the characteristics desired of a sixth-generation aircraft with a sleek design and improved stealth in the RF, IR and acoustics. China claims that the aircraft will be capable of flying at high supersonic speeds in near earth’s atmosphere as an integrated space-air fighter.

The first flight demonstration on December 26, 2024 took place from Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). This aircraft has been christened the J-36. It is bigger than a conventional fighter and smaller than a bomber with likely two- seater design, either side by side or tandem. Its unique diamond shaped double delta wing and tailless design indicate advanced stealth. Its length is about 22 metres and wing span around 20 metres. The aircraft with its size will carry large weapon loads over long ranges. The aircraft is configured with three engines. Two engines are configured classically with caret intakes below the wings and the third engine on top of the fuselage has a Diverterless Supersonic Inlet (DSI) intake. The aircraft feature 2D nozzles a departure from the arched nozzles seen in the exhaust of Chinese fifth-generation fighters. The aircraft features trailing edge control surfaces, including split flap-rudder for manoeuvring the aircraft.

Another feature of this aircraft is its double wheel undercarriage bogies, traditionally, single wheel configurations sustain all up weight of around 35 tonnes. Twin wheel configuration and the size of the aircraft indicate an all up weight in the region of 50 tonnes, closer to a fighter-bomber class. The aircraft is optimised for high speed, BVR air dominance and deep penetration strike role, coupled with command post role of controlling many unmanned systems and manned fifth generation fighters.

While outer dimensions and characteristics are easy to analyse, the real capability exists inside the aircraft. It is not known whether the engines are WS-10C or WS-15, it is also not known whether all three engines are the same or the third engine is different. However, three engines would cater to the thrust and high electrical load requirements along with cooling requirements for thermal loads generated by onboard systems. Very importantly, DEW weapons would consume a lot of electrical power. Another view point is that the available Chinese engine technology does not fulfill power to weight requirement of this platform, which led to integration of the third engine. It is believed that more information on Sensor fusion, Electronic Warfare (EW), aircraft performance, weapon load out, networking and MUM-T will be known in the years ahead. What is however, clear is that this is not an agile platform to undertake dog fights.

The second aircraft flown on the same day was probably from the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC). The aircraft is smaller than the J-36. The Shenyang J-50 aircraft has a sharply swept wing, closely resembling a “Lambda Wing” profile with foldable vertical stabilisers for enhanced performance. The aircraft is 22 metres long, with all up weight in the region of 40 tonnes and a max speed around Mach 2.0. It is a tailless design with enhanced stealth features, powered by two engines matching its smaller size. The engine intakes are Diverterless Supersonic Inlet (DSI) intakes positioned on either side of the fuselage. The aircraft has conventional single wheel undercarriage. It is not clear whether the aircraft has a cockpit, so it could either be a manned or unmanned platform. Analysts point out that the aircraft can carry four PL-17 BVRAAMs. It can carry one YJ-12 Anti-ship missile with a range of 400 kms. The aerodynamic design stymies stability and maneuverability, which could be mitigated with two-dimensional thrust vectoring.

Appearance of J-36 and J-50 from two different developers simultaneously could mean that the two aircraft are prototypes and are competing for the next generation fighter programme of the PLAAF. However, going by the past experience it is quite possible that both platforms would continue to develop and the one that matures first would be inducted into PLAAF, while the other could potentially be exported in consonance with the Chinese geo-strategic objectives.

The Pentagon’s 24th China military power report highlights that China is undergoing the most dramatic military buildup since World War II, with the PLAAF aiming to become a comprehensive strategic air force capable of long-range power projection

China has, in a month displayed a full-scale mock-up of sixth-generation “White Emperor” and flew two latest generation fighters. It has also flown its latest KJ-3000 AWACS based on the Y-20 platform with AESA radar. Combined capability of KJ-3000, integrated with J-36, J-20, J-35 and H-6 enables PLAAF enviable long-range Offensive and Defensive Counter Air capability. This represents a major achievement for the aerospace industry. Whether these aircraft are actually sixth generation platforms (a definition which is itself little hazy) or will be clear in due course. The demonstration flights are a proof that China has bridged the technological gap to a large extent. It also goes to show that China has started understanding importance of aerospace power and is investing heavily in it. These aircraft also demonstrate China’s own idea of future combat air power and design. China is known to be a leader in AI and Quantum computing which will drive faster development of next generation platforms. For the first time in the history of military aviation, China is leading.

Pentagon in its 24th China military power report revealed that China is undertaking most dramatic military buildup since World War II. President Xi Jinping and his party are addressing issues with determination and PLAAF is now training under more realistic conditions. The PLAAF goal is “to serve as a comprehensive strategic air force capable of long-range airpower projection.” The latest developments are aligned to realise this objective.

There is a debate whether these are truly sixth generation platforms. Assessment of J-20 and J-35 provide valuable insights into the technological capability of China. If the US assessment that H-20 will be ready in 2030 is true than China is yet to master some critical technologies required for a sixthgeneration fighter aircraft. So, in their present form both the aircraft may meet only some characteristics of sixth generation. China has however, shown to the world that it is capable of flying a latest generation design.

IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA

These platforms have severe ramifications for India. IAF is currently a fourth generation Air Force with a high percentage of upgraded legacy platforms. The indigenous developmental and production process is now gaining momentum. While sufficient maturity has been achieved in aircraft design, structures and some sensors, the country is completely dependent on imports for aero engines and some critical technologies. Integrating software dependent diverse system is always a challenge.

China, has sufficient industrial capacity to rapidly manufacture large number of these platforms. A combination of J-20/J-35/ J-36/ J-50 supported by enablers, KJ-3000 and Y-20U will pose a serious threat to the IAF. The disadvantages of terrain would not be an impediment for the PLAAF under the new paradigm. It is therefore, important to work single mindedly on achieving fifth-generation capability in a shorter timeframe than presently envisaged. The window available to India has actually shrunk to six years or so.

A probable air scenario could be ground-based radars and KJ-3000 AWACS flying at above 30,000 ft feeding fused air situation picture to J-36 carrying six PL-17 and eight PL-15 BVRAAMs, or a combination of Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground weapons. J-36 is controlling H-6 bomber with long range air to ground cruise missiles, UAVs armed with Air to Ground weapons and J-20/ J-35 armed with PL-15s. The pilot flies the J-36, the weapons systems operator designates targets for the team members, and simultaneously uses inputs from KJ-3000 to launch its PL-17 at long ranges against hostile AWACS/ Air to Air refuelers and fighters while flying at altitudes of 60,000 to 70,000 ft without using its own radar. This is a plausible and challenging scenario for any modern Air Force.

CONCLUSION

J-36, J-50 and KJ-3000 reflect maturing of Chinese aerospace R&D and industry and a deliberate attempt to demonstrate this capability to the world. While there may be many questions on whether these are actually sixth generation or not, the fact remains that China has been able to bridge the gap that existed with respect to USA in aerospace design, engineering and technology. The only question that remains is whether the Chinese can effectively and efficiently employ these platforms in a highly contested and networked air space where decision making is delegated. These developments have serious consequences for India and IAF. This variety of stealth platforms will allow China to undertake rapid build-up and exercise air dominance both from within as well outside its own airspace. This calls for a prompt response from Indian government and aerospace industry. Leapfrogging technologies is inescapable in face of such challenges.