Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35 vs Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35 and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae are both fighter aircraft, compared here on public specifications. The Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35 leads on range (3,500 vs 2,900 km). Several China-origin figures here are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification, so treat this comparison as directional.
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Full data
Full spec sheet
 Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35
Wins 4/9 |  Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae
Wins 5/9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Max speed (km/h) | 2,200 km/h | 2,200 km/h |
| Max speed (Mach) (Mach) | 1.8 Mach | 1.81 Mach ✓ |
| Range (km) | 3,500 km ✓ | 2,900 km |
| Combat radius (km) | 1,250 km ✓ | 700 km |
| Service ceiling (m) | 16,000 m | 16,700 m ✓ |
| Thrust-to-weight | 0.98 | 1 ✓ |
| Firepower | ||
| Hardpoints | 8 | 10 ✓ |
| Weapons payload (kg) | 8,000 kg ✓ | 7,700 kg |
| Physical | ||
| Length (m) | 17.3 m | 16.9 m |
| Empty weight (kg) | 17,000 kg | 11,700 kg |
| Combat weight (kg) | 28,000 kg | 25,600 kg |
| Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Propulsion | ||
| Thrust (kN) | 100 kN ✓ | 98 kN |
| Program | ||
| Unit cost (USD) | N/A | $65,000,000 |
| Units built | 20 | 20 |
| Operator countries | 1 | 2 ✓ |
Frequently asked questions
Which is faster, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35 and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae? +
The Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35 is the fastest of the 2 compared here, at 2,200 km/h.
Which has the longer range? +
The Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35 has the longest range at 3,500 km.
Which carries the larger weapons payload? +
The Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35 carries the largest weapons payload at 8,000 kg.
Which is cheaper? +
The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae has the lower public unit-cost figure at 65,000,000 USD. Treat this as directional, defense pricing varies by contract and configuration.
Is the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35 better than the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae? +
On the public specs we track, the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35 leads on 2 of 3 headline metrics, see the full spec sheet for the metric-by-metric breakdown.
Where does this comparison data come from? +
Every figure in the table is sourced from public manufacturer pages, defense-ministry releases and reference publications, and is verifiable on each system's spec page. WeaponSpecs does not accept vendor placement.
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