The unit was among the first to receive the new-generation aircraft and while the report did not refer to the J-20 directly, footage of the stealth fighter was shown throughout the segment, leaving little doubt about the aircraft involved.

A military observer said the markings and flight characteristics offered the strongest evidence yet that the J-35 had entered production and was approaching operational readiness for deployment aboard China’s latest aircraft carrier.

Unlike previously circulated ground-based photos, the latest images appear to be air-to-air studies in tight formation. Their clearly visible identification marks suggest the fifth-generation fighter jets have entered initial production, according to former People’s Liberation Army instructor Song Zhongping.

The images, which first began circulating on China’s X-like Weibo at the weekend, show the jets bearing clear “Chinese navy” markings on their fuselages and “Flying Shark” insignia on their tails – the strongest visual indication yet of formal naval integration.

These markings, along with the official serial numbers “0011” and “0012”, suggested the fighters were part of a low-rate initial production run, Song said.

“The Flying Shark insignia confirms the J-35 has joined the navy’s carrier aviation force,” he said. “It indicates the aircraft may have been in active service and is building combat and logistical support capabilities.”