J-35 Emerges: China’s Carrier-Based Stealth Jet Possibly Spotted in CCTV Footage

Beijing, July 17, 2025 —

In a rare moment of unintentional transparency, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has aired uncensored footage of what appears to be a new generation of stealth aircraft developed by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

The clip, aired during a routine military segment on CCTV-7 — China’s national defense channel — briefly showed two advanced aircraft prototypes parked in a military hangar. The designs, with their sleek profiles and stealth-oriented features, appear unfamiliar to defense analysts and are not consistent with China’s currently known stealth fighters such as the J-20 or FC-31.

 Accident or Strategic Leak?

The footage was quickly removed from CCTV’s online platforms, but not before being screen-recorded and dissected by international observers. Early analysis points to a new airframe featuring a compact body, modified side air intakes, and a delta-canard configuration that differs from previous Chinese stealth designs.

“This could signal a next-generation air superiority platform or a carrier-based stealth fighter in development,” said one U.S.-based defense analyst under condition of anonymity.

Several experts have speculated that the aircraft may be a prototype intended for China’s next-gen aircraft carriers, which are expected to field more advanced stealth operations in the coming decade.

Global Reactions and Military Implications

In Washington, Pentagon officials declined to comment directly on the leaked footage, though a spokesperson noted the U.S. continues to monitor Chinese aerospace developments closely. The incident comes amid rising military tensions in the South China Sea, where air and naval confrontations have escalated in recent months.

Some analysts argue the leak may have been intentional.

“It’s entirely possible Beijing allowed this footage to surface as a form of strategic signaling — a message to adversaries about how far Chinese stealth tech has come,” said geopolitical analyst Antoine Kerdrel.

A Renewed Race for Air Dominance

The incident adds new fuel to the China–U.S. tech race in sixth-generation fighter development. The U.S. is actively developing its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, while China is investing heavily in onboard AI, electronic warfare capabilities, and low-observability materials.

China’s Ministry of Defense has yet to comment officially on the leaked footage. In a brief statement, military officials referred only to “routine training exercises.”

Conclusion: In the Age of Info-Warfare, Every Frame Counts

Whether this was a genuine broadcasting mistake or a deliberate soft reveal, the footage has reignited speculation about the true scale of China’s technological advances in air combat. More than ever, image and perception have become strategic tools in the evolving theater of modern warfare.