The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has officially expanded its primary aerial combat strategy, transitioning from a “three swordsmen” concept to a new “four swordsmen” formation. This tactical evolution centers on the induction of the J-35A stealth fighter, which now operates alongside the J-20, J-16, and J-10C aircraft.
The J-35A, a medium-sized stealth fighter, made its public debut at the Zhuhai Airshow on November 12, 2024. With this addition, China joins the United States as the second nation to develop and operate two distinct fifth-generation stealth fighter platforms. The aircraft’s design has drawn comparisons to the American F-35, and it is expected to eventually feature the domestically produced WS-19 turbofan engine, though development of this powerplant continues.
Under the previous three-swordsmen model, the J-20 heavy stealth fighter was tasked with providing situational awareness, while the J-16 and J-10C multirole aircraft delivered firepower. Military commentators and Chinese state broadcaster CCTV now present the four aircraft as an integrated combat system. The strategy leverages advanced data links to allow these fighters to share battlefield information, combining the stealth and sensing capabilities of the J-20 and J-35A with the operational flexibility and weapons payload of the J-16 and J-10C.
The J-16 continues to serve as a critical element of this formation. Defence experts recently highlighted a “Beast Mode” configuration for the aircraft, which allows it to carry eight PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles—capable of reaching targets at approximately 200km—alongside two PL-10 missiles for short-range combat.
Key facts
- The 'four swordsmen' formation includes the J-20, J-35A, J-16, and J-10C fighter jets.
- China is the second country after the U.S. to operate two fifth-generation stealth aircraft.
- The J-35A made its public debut on November 12, 2024, at the Zhuhai Airshow.
- The J-16 'Beast Mode' configuration carries eight PL-15 and two PL-10 air-to-air missiles.
Why it matters
The transition to this integrated formation reflects a broader move toward network-centric warfare, where different military platforms coordinate to operate as a single system. This approach also aligns with China's ongoing preparations for future aerial combat, which is expected to incorporate artificial intelligence, advanced electronic warfare, and potential collaboration with unmanned drones as nations compete for sixth-generation fighter technology.
Source: Times of India
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