Chinese state media rebuked Anduril founder Palmer Luckey after he questioned the capabilities of China’s J-35 fighter at the Singapore Airshow, calling his remarks technically unfounded and highlighting growing scrutiny between Chinese and U.S. defense circles over next-generation combat aircraft.
Chinese state media criticized Palmer Luckey, founder of U.S. defense company Anduril Industries, after he questioned the capabilities of China’s J-35 stealth fighter during a visit to the Singapore Airshow.
Luckey shared a photo on social media showing himself using a tape measure on a J-35A scale model displayed at AVIC’s booth, saying he was “not convinced China’s J-35 measures up to the real deal.” The post quickly gained attention online and prompted a response from China’s state-run Global Times.
Chinese commentators and military analysts described the act as unserious and lacking technical credibility. Military affairs analyst Zhang Xuefeng said measuring a scale model with a tape measure offers no meaningful insight into a fighter jet’s real performance or design. He added that accurate aircraft assessment requires specialized engineering tools and access to classified technical data, noting the airshow display was a 1:2 scale model rather than a full-size aircraft.
The incident occurred at the 10th Singapore Airshow, where AVIC presented the J-35A alongside models of the J-20 stealth fighter, Y-20 transport aircraft, Z-20 helicopter, and export-focused J-10CE as part of a broader showcase of China’s aviation capabilities.
Chinese online commentators also referenced past issues involving the U.S.-built F-35, including a 2022 U.S. Navy F-35C crash into the South China Sea, using the incident to mock American criticism rather than offer technical comparisons.
The Global Times also cited Wang Yongqing, a senior expert linked to the J-35A program, who described the aircraft as a key component of China’s stealth and counter-stealth combat strategy. According to Wang, the fighter is designed primarily for air superiority missions with secondary strike roles and is intended to engage both aerial and surface targets in contested environments. These claims remain unverified outside official Chinese sources.
Chinese media also questioned Luckey’s authority to evaluate manned fighter aircraft, noting that Anduril focuses mainly on autonomous systems, sensors, and unmanned technologies rather than crewed combat jets.
Founded in 2017, Anduril has grown into a significant defense supplier for the United States and its allies, particularly in autonomous platforms and counter-drone systems. The company has also supported arms sales to Taiwan, a move that has drawn criticism from Beijing. In January 2025, China placed Anduril on its Unreliable Entity List in response to those sales.
The exchange highlights increasing sensitivity surrounding next-generation fighter programs, as China expands global exposure for its stealth aircraft while U.S. defense figures openly scrutinize their capabilities.
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