Saudi Arabia’s Rejection Of J-35A A Big Blow To China’s Ambitions In Middle East – OpEd

Saudi Arabia’s recent decision to turn away from China’s J-35A stealth fighter in favor of collaborating with Western nations on a sixth-generation fighter jet marks a significant shift in the kingdom’s defence strategy and a notable setback for Beijing’s ambitions in the Middle East arms market, the Aero-News Journal website reported. 

This move underscores Riyadh’s prioritization of advanced technology, reliability, and strategic alignment with Western powers over the lower price-tag offerings China has been promoting. 

The J-35A, a fifth-generation stealth fighter developed by China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, has been positioned as a competitor to the American F-35 Lightning II, boasting advanced stealth capabilities and a lower price tag. 

Despite China’s aggressive marketing of the jet across the Middle East, including high-profile displays at defence expos like the International Defence Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia has opted for a different path, signaling a preference for quality and long-term security partnerships over immediate affordability.

According to the Defence Security Asia website, the rejection delivers a direct blow to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s broader Middle East strategy, which aims to displace American-made military platforms in the Gulf with Chinese defence technology.

Beijing has actively sought to expand its arms footprint in a region historically aligned with Western defence contractors, but Riyadh’s move signals that Gulf states remain wary of fully integrating Chinese-made military hardware into their arsenals.

According to experts cited in an Indian defence report, President Xi Jinping had anticipated that if a major Gulf military power like Saudi Arabia opted for the J-35A, it would disrupt Washington’s dominance in the regional arms market.

The deal could have set a precedent for other Gulf states to pivot toward Chinese military technology, thereby curbing the United States’ strategic leverage in the oil-rich region.

However, despite Beijing’s extensive diplomatic and military outreach, Saudi Arabia chose instead to advance discussions with the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan during the G-20 summit in India, where Riyadh explored potential collaboration in developing sixth-generation fighter jets.

This strategic pivot suggests that Saudi Arabia is prioritizing cutting-edge defence technology from established military-industrial powerhouses rather than embracing China’s relatively unproven fifth-generation capabilities. 

The rejection of the J-35A aligns with Riyadh’s broader strategy of maintaining a diversified military procurement approach, balancing ties between Western allies, emerging defence partners like Türkiye, and new players like China.

Saudi Arabia’s rejection of the J-35A underscores the challenges Beijing faces in positioning itself as a viable alternative to Western defence giants.

While China has successfully penetrated markets in Africa and parts of Asia, the Gulf remains firmly within Washington’s security orbit, bolstered by extensive U.S. military presence and defence agreements.

The kingdom’s decision comes amid ongoing discussions with the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan, key players in the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), which aims to develop a cutting-edge sixth-generation fighter. 

These talks, which have reportedly advanced, reflect Saudi Arabia’s ambition to secure a stake in next-generation aerial warfare technology. Unlike the J-35, a finished product with known limitations, the GCAP project promises a leap forward with features such as artificial intelligence integration, enhanced stealth, and the ability to coordinate with unmanned systems—capabilities that align with Riyadh’s vision for a modern, sustainable defence infrastructure. 

The collaboration with these Western nations also offers Saudi Arabia a chance to diversify its military partnerships beyond its traditional reliance on the United States, which has been hesitant to supply the kingdom with its own fifth-generation F-35 due to geopolitical considerations, including maintaining Israel’s regional military edge.

The Kingdom’s decision to explore sixth-generation fighter programs with Western and Asian partners signals a long-term vision for next-generation air dominance, rather than merely seeking incremental upgrades through existing fifth-generation platforms.

According to an Indian Defence Research Wing (IDRW) website report, Saudi Arabia has decided to collaborate with the UK, Italy, and Japan to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet. Talks between these nations have reached an advanced stage, and sources suggest that the deal could be finalized by the end of this year.

This decision significantly weakens China’s ambitions in the Middle East, as most nations in the region continue to buy weapons from the U.S. and Western allies. For now, it seems that China’s plan to dominate the Middle Eastern arms market has hit a major roadblock.

According to the India.com website, China is actively looking for buyers for its J-35 stealth fighter jet, but so far, Pakistan is the only country that has agreed to purchase it. As per various media reports, Pakistan may have signed the deal under Chinese pressure, as there are growing concerns about the J-35’s technology and performance. Unlike Pakistan, Saudi Arabia was in a stronger position and refused to buy the fighter jet, knowing that such a deal could lead to potential issues in the future.

The J-35A is China’s second fifth-generation fighter, following the J-20 “Mighty Dragon,” which has remained exclusive to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) due to classified technology and sensitive components.

Manufactured by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the J-35A is envisioned as a multirole stealth fighter, optimized for both air-to-air superiority and precision air-to-ground strike missions.

China’s J-35 is significantly cheaper than the American F-35 and has lower maintenance costs. According to Global Times newspaper, the J-35 comes in two variants—one for air force operations and another for aircraft carriers. It features a twin-engine design, but experts believe the J-35 is just a copy of the American F-35.

Following Saudi Arabia’s rejection, other nations that were considering the J-35 may also back out, dealing another setback to China’s defence ambitions.