China's new-generation J-35 stealth fighter will significantly enhance the combat capabilities and operational scenarios of the country's naval aviation forces, a military expert said on Saturday, the 12th anniversary of the formal establishment of China's carrier-based naval aviation forces.
According to Senior Colonel Du Wenlong, the medium-sized J-35 stealth fighter represents a significant upgrade over the J-15 carrier-based fighter jet. Unlike the J-20, a heavy stealth fighter primarily designed for air superiority, the J-35 is a medium-sized, multi-role stealth fighter capable of both air superiority and strike missions against ground and maritime targets.
"From non-stealth to stealth, this generational leap is clearly significant. In the future, stealth penetration and covert attacks can be utilized in open oceans to maximize combat capabilities. Secondly, we can improve takeoff efficiency through the combination of electromagnetic catapults and stealth fighter jets. Compared to ski-jump takeoffs, electromagnetic catapult launches provide a substantial boost in efficiency. This means a significant increase in the number of carrier-based aircraft that can be deployed within a given time frame, greatly enhancing our ability to carry out combat missions in distant seas. As a result, the J-35 is expected to bring about a substantial transformation for naval aviation combat forces," said Du.
The expert further elaborated that intelligent unmanned networks will become a major direction for the development of carrier-based aviation forces in the future.
"In the future, intelligent unmanned networks will become a major direction for the development of carrier-based aviation forces. Currently, the hardware primarily consists of the J-15 and J-35, but the next phase will involve various types of unmanned aerial vehicles -- reconnaissance drones, early warning drones, buddy refueling drones, electronic warfare drones, and attack drones -- which together may form a broad operational spectrum. This shift from purely manned platforms to a combined manned-unmanned force represents a significant and transformative development process," he said.
J-35 stealth fighter to greatly boost China's naval aviation combat capabilities: expert
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
