The information had already been circulating for several months, now it seems to have been confirmed. The stealth plane FC-31 was chosen by the Chinese naval aviationas a stealth carrier-based fighter. Lighter than the J-20, the FC-31 has a takeoff weight of 25 tons, like the Rafale French. Its appearance is reminiscent of the F-35, but its twin-engine configuration appears to be an important advantage for an onboard fighter.
Little information is available on the aircraft today, especially since the prototypes have undergone significant changes since the first flight in 2013. But the overall configuration of the aircraft, its mass, and the presence of J-15 and J-15D currently being deployed in Chinese naval aviation units, suggests that the aircraft will be dedicated to attack missions while air combat missions would remain the specialty of the J-15.
In addition, we must not neglect the simultaneous development of no less than 7 combat drone projects by Chinese industry, at least 2 of which are intended to be embarked on aircraft carriers. The FC-31, which will be renamed J-XX (J-21?) when it enters service in the PLA, will therefore most likely be specialized in attack missions in interaction/control with on-board UCAVs, so to eliminate enemy anti-aircraft defenses and radars.
With this announcement, the Chinese aeronautical industry maintains its pace of one new aircraft every 5 years. The next aircraft, which should be announced within 2 to 3 years, will undoubtedly be the replacement for the JH-7, the attack aircraft of the Chinese Air Force inspired by the Su-24 (itself inspired by the F-111. The aircraft, which will henceforth be the first so-called 5th generation attack aircraft, seems to have a very innovative configuration, with air inlets on the upper surface, according to the indiscretions circulating on specialized sites. As for China, it would take a significant psychological lead over its adversaries, with 3 5th generation aircraft in simultaneous production, where the United States and Russia will only have one, and the Europe, none.
By 2025, it will most likely be the successor to the J-10 that will arrive, although no public information is available on this subject at the moment. While the main mission of the J-10 was to ensure a rapid rise in power of the PLA, its successor will certainly have significant export ambitions.
In any case, with a stealth fighter equipped, twin-engined at that, a heavy fighter bomber and its electronic warfare version, and one or two on-board combat drones, the Chinese on-board air group by 2025 will absolutely not have nothing to envy of the American, British or French GAE.
With the Su-57 entering service in 2019, it is becoming clear that the FCAS project schedule is too long, with entry into service planned for 2040. If the replacement of the Typhoon et Rafale before this date would not make much sense, the development of a single-engine aircraft benefiting from the characteristics of the “5th generation” would make it possible to fill the industrial and military void over the period 2025-2040.