PUBLISHED on August 8, 2025, 08:03 AM EDT – Key Points and Summary – In a speculative matchup between Sweden’s 4th-generation JAS 39 Gripen and China’s 5th-generation J-35, the two jets represent different combat philosophies.
-The J-35 is a purpose-built stealth fighter designed to strike first from beyond visual range (BVR).
-In contrast, the Gripen is a highly agile and cost-effective multirole fighter that relies on speed and electronic warfare for survivability.
-While the J-35’s stealth would give it the advantage in a BVR engagement, the faster and more maneuverable Gripen would likely win in a close-range dogfight.
How Would The JAS 39 Gripen Fare Against China’s J-35?
While many U.S. allies are procuring the F-35 stealth fighter, some cannot afford to purchase the aircraft, while others do not want to rely on the U.S. for weapons due to long delays in manufacturing.
For those that opt out of the F-35, the JAS 39 Gripen has become the aircraft of choice. It is more affordable, highly maneuverable, and fast.
However, if the Gripen is called to fight for the allied countries in a possible war with China, it would be required to face off against the Chinese J-35 stealth fighter. How would the Gripen fare against the J-35?
Meet The Saab JAS 39 Gripen Fighter
The JAS 39, often just called the Gripen, finally earned its baptism of fire after nearly 30 years of active service, during Thailand’s border skirmishes with Cambodia.
The Gripen is a fast, highly maneuverable, multi-role fighter aircraft developed by Sweden’s Saab. It’s known for its cost-efficient operation, advanced avionics, and agility. The Gripen has a top speed of about 1,500 miles per hour, or Mach 2
Saab has done a great job of marketing the aircraft, and the JAS 39 Gripen is a big seller on foreign markets. The Gripen E variant has completed a series of test flights piloted by artificial intelligence, marking a significant milestone in aerial-combat technology.
The fighter is emblematic of the Swedish defensive philosophy, emphasizing dispersed air operations and rapid maintenance. It was built for a possible war with Russia, but proved its worth in Thailand.
Meet The Chinese J-35 Stealth Fighter
China’s J-35 is a naval fighter built to fly off China’s aircraft carriers.
The J-35 traces its roots back to the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s FC-31, a prototype aircraft with some stealth features. It first flew in 2012.
The FC-31 was initially conceived as a stealth fighter destined for export, but instead it was used as a test and research platform for a carrier-based fighter and evolved into the J-35.
A decade later, the first iteration of the J-35 took flight. It featured folding wings and robust landing gear for tight storage and hard landings on aircraft carriers. China recently performed its first-ever catapult takeoffs from its new carrier. The J-35 has a top speed of Mach 1.8, or 1,367 mph.
The Global Times claims the J-35 is quite different from its predecessor, the J-20. The state media organ says China’s newer J-35 is lighter, faster, comparable in performance to an F-35, and engineered for “strong surface attack capabilities.”
“The J-35A has a different design from China’s first stealth fighter jet, the J-20. The J-20, with a canard wing configuration, is a heavy fighter jet with a focus on air superiority missions comparable with the US’ F-22, while the medium-sized J-35A uses a tailplane wing configuration similar with the US’ F-35 that also has strong surface attack capabilities,” The Global Times says.
The China Daily reported that Wang Yongqing, chief researcher at the Aviation Industry Corp of China’s Shenyang Aircraft Design and Research Institute, said the J-35 provides what he described as “systems coordination” or “multi-domain coordination” in combat.
Air Combat Between The JAS 39 and the J-35
The JAS 39 Gripen and the J-35 are different types of aircraft with different strengths and weaknesses. The Gripen is a highly agile, cost-effective fighter known for its operational flexibility, while the J-35 is a stealth fighter with advanced sensor fusion.
In an air-to-air battle, the J-35’s stealth and sensor capabilities would likely give it an advantage, especially in beyond-visual-range engagements. However, the Gripen’s agility could be advantageous in other scenarios, especially at close range.
This Saab fighter is known for its maneuverability and its ability to operate from short or improvised runways.
It also has a strong electronic warfare suite and is capable of launching a variety of weapons. While not a stealth fighter, it uses jamming and countermeasures to protect itself.
This Chinese fighter is a full stealth aircraft, designed to minimize its radar signature and evade detection. It also features advanced sensor fusion, allowing it to gather and process information from various sources and share it with other aircraft.
The J-35’s stealth and sensor capabilities mean it could detect and target the Gripen before the Gripen even knows a threat is near. But Saab sees no long-term value in building for stealth. The company believes that stealth will be outmoded in 10 years due to advances in radar capability.
“If you build an airframe with a stealthy design, there are other things you can’t do with that aircraft,” said Jerker Ahlqvist, Saab’s deputy head of business area aeronautics.
“We have created another way by, for instance, putting in a very capable electronic warfare system that can make the aircraft invisible,” he added.
In a close-range dogfight, the Gripen’s agility and maneuverability could give it an edge. Its lower operational costs could also allow it to engage in more sorties or remain in the air longer.
Who Wins In An Aerial Battle?
The Gripen is a capable and versatile fighter; It has superior dogfighting skills and a speed advantage. The J-35’s stealth and sensor fusion capabilities likely make it a more formidable opponent in a modern air combat scenario.
At beyond-visual range, the J-35 has the advantage. In a close dogfighting scenario, the JAS 39 Gripen, with its outstanding agility, has the advantage.
Finally, the fight would come down to the training and skill of the pilots involved.
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
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