On December 26, 2024, China carried out the test flights of its J-36 and J-XX fighter jets. It was Chairman Mao’s birthday that day, and the Chinese used the occasion to mark a huge milestone in their development of air fighting capability.
The J-36 and J-XX are tailless 6th-generation fighter jets. By revealing their prototypes, China signalled that it has surpassed both the U.S. and Russian technologies by integrating AI, improved stealth, “hypersonic speeds, and advanced weaponry.”
This is the first time that a country has developed more advanced aircraft technology than the U.S. since the end of the Second World War, and could mark the start of a significant shift in regional and global air power dynamics, especially given that U.S. military dominance depends on mastery of the air.
Not only do the two 6th-generation fighter aircraft have a combat radius exceeding 2,500 kilometres and power generation capabilities that hover around the 1 MW mark but also their integrated networked system could change the power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. The aircraft could reach U.S. military stations in Guam, Diego Garcia, and even Alaska. Their combat reach will exceed 2,500 kilometres by accommodating large internal volumes.
The J-36 and J-XX prototypes are much larger than the American F-35s or F-22s. The Chinese believe that the newer generations of U.S. fighters are too small, limiting the amount of fuel they can carry and their capacity to generate power, which is vital for operating advanced electronic systems. The diamond-shaped tailless aircraft are designed for long-range stealth and high survivability in contested environments and feature a triple-engine layout. These suggest an emphasis on both raw speed and the heavy electrical demands of future combat.
Key player in unmanned systems
The 6th-generation fighters are expected to move at speeds beyond Mach 2, and with design tweaks, they can reach top speeds closer to Mach 3, especially at high altitudes where the air is thinner. They are designed to act as a main node in a cluster of unmanned systems like drones that would operate many kilometres in front of the aircraft. By integrating manned and unmanned systems, including Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) acting as loyal wingmen, Chinese designers have increased the effective combat range of the aircraft by several hundred kilometres.
The massive internal volume of the Chinese 6th-generation aircraft indicates that their power generation capabilities are much more than their American counterparts. The Chinese believe that modern combat demands an electrical platform that can power high-energy radars, Energy Weapon (EW) systems, and even potential Directed Energy Weapons (DEW).
Over the past few decades, American designers have placed heavy emphasis on manoeuverability, and systems like the F-35 have struggled with scaling electrical power. The high power capacity of the Chinese 6th generation fighter is crucial for sensor fusion, real-time data processing, and leading UCAV swarms in network-centric battles, where rapid computation and electronic warfare are decisive.
Challenge to traditional air forces
Given that the 6th generation aircraft command a host of supportive drones, they present a significant challenge to the ability of traditional air forces to defend against them. As China continues to modernise its military forces, and integrates carrier-based aircraft, hypersonic missiles, and advanced EW drones, the strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific could tip significantly in Beijing’s favour.
For regional players, particularly India, China’s 6th-generation fighters represent a significant strategic challenge. India currently has 4th generation aircraft. During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the U.S., President Donald Trump said that the U.S. is willing to sell India 5th generation F-35 aircraft.
Based on the time China took to develop its 4th and 5th generation aircraft from prototype to production, it is likely that the two Chinese 6th generation fighters might join China’s Air Force by 2031. Indian acquisition of the American F-35s is, therefore, a waste of money.
Given that India already grapples with a two-generation gap in fighter technology compared to China, accelerating its indigenous programs like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) or seeking deeper defence partnerships may soon become a strategic imperative.
However, even these defence partnerships may not suffice as it would take the U.S. at least 12 years to start producing a 6th generation fighter (estimation based on the timeline of F-22s and F-35s). India will, therefore, have to deal with the air dominance of Chinese 6th generation fighters for at least six years.
Power over maritime chokepoints
India is also constrained by a limited number of forward airbases and has limited aerial refueling infrastructure. It seems obvious that India would struggle to counter aircraft that can operate deep into the Indian Ocean, which allows Beijing to project power over critical maritime chokepoints and exert pressure on regional air defences.
China’s approach to 6th-generation aviation is emblematic of a broader shift in tactical military thinking. The emphasis is now on creating a networked combat ecosystem where manned aircraft serve as the central command node that coordinates with a range of supportive assets, from unmanned drones to long-range missile platforms. Such a doctrine forces China’s opponents to confront a multi-domain threat where the lines between air, space, and cyber warfare are blurred.
China’s unveiling of the 6th generation fighters, along with its recent advances in AI, semiconductors, and 6G sends a clear message to other powers. The coming decade is likely to see a dramatic realignment of military power in Asia, with China at the top of the fighter aircraft pecking order.
Originally published in The Diplomat
