PLAAF J-35A
Pakistan’s defence minister, Khawaja Asif, has firmly denied all rumours about a J-35A deal with China. Moreover, he rejected regional reports claiming Islamabad agreed to purchase the fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. If true, the deal would have changed the balance of airpower in South Asia in a big way.
During a nationally broadcast interview, Asif denied allegations of a formal agreement with Beijing, saying, “I think it is only in the media.” You know, it’s beneficial for Chinese defense sales.
Even though officials deny it, credible defense sources confirm Pakistan is preparing to receive its first J-35A fighters. Furthermore, reports indicate that the delivery could take place in the coming months, signifying swift progress in the background.
If the deal proceeds as expected, Pakistan will become the first foreign operator of China’s advanced J-35A stealth fighter. Moreover, China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, under state-owned AVIC, manufactures this cutting-edge fifth-generation combat aircraft.
Cost of the Package
The purchase, which might entail up to 40 planes, would entirely change the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) force posture and put the country in the small group of air forces that can fly stealthily. The whole cost of the package, which includes training, logistics, and weapons, might be more than USD 3.4 billion (RM16 billion).
The estimated cost of each J-35A unit is approximately USD 85 million (RM 400 million). Adding J-35A jets to the PAF would be a big step forward in terms of doctrine. It would make PAF better at deterring threats in both conventional and asymmetrical theatres.
The decision also puts further pressure on Indian military strategists, who may now have to deal with stealth threats from both the western (Pakistan) and eastern (China) sides if there is ever a two-front conflict.
The J-35A is part of a larger “kill web” that combines air, space, and cyber capabilities into a real-time combat network. It is strategically partnered with China’s KJ-500 AEW&C platform and the HQ-19 long-range missile defense system.
The J-35A has a smaller radar cross-section (RCS) and a lower infrared signature, which make it harder for enemies to find and kill. It can also carry out precision strike missions and stay alive in very dangerous places.
The plane is built for deep penetration operations where staying alive is the most important thing. It has improved radar-absorbing materials, internal armament bays, and a stealth-optimised shape.
Zia Ul Haque Shamshi
Retired Air Commodore Zia Ul Haque Shamshi stressed the strategic importance by saying, “India is unlikely to have any fifth-generation fighter capability within that timeframe, which gives the Pakistan Air Force a major strategic advantage.”
In Islamabad’s strategic circles, the military leadership agrees with this perspective. They view the J-35A as a transformative platform that could maintain Pakistan’s technological superiority over India for the next 12 to 14 years.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu said in early 2023 that Pakistan has started formal talks to buy the stealth jet. He said, “Negotiations have taken place to enable the acquisition of the J-35A, which will soon become part of the Pakistan Air Force.”
A high-ranking official in the Pakistani government said recently that deliveries were coming soon, with the first batch likely to arrive “within the next few months”.
The official said, “PAF pilots are already in China getting operational conversion training for flying and handling the J-35A.” This shows how quickly Pakistan is getting ready to use the stealth fighter in frontline operations.
28,000 kg of Weaponry
The J-35A is an improved version of the FC-31 demonstrator. It has been heavily upgraded for land-based multirole missions. It can carry up to 28,000 kg of weaponry, has two interior bays for missiles that can be fired beyond the range of vision, and has two side bays for short-range weapons.
The J-35A is China’s first fifth-generation stealth aircraft that is actively being marketed for sale. The J-20 “Mighty Dragon,” on the other hand, is still only available for the PLA.
Technical sources say that the PAF model will use the WS-19 engine, which gives it 12 tonnes of thrust and lets it conduct supercruise, a feature usually only seen on the best fighter platforms in the world.
One of the most intriguing things about the J-35A programme is that it plans to include the PL-17, a very long-range air-to-air missile (VLRAAM), which is also known as the PL-XX in Western intelligence circles.
The PL-17 greatly increases the PAF’s engagement radius by allowing it to hit airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) planes, tanks, and high-value surveillance assets at distances greater than 400 kilometres.
Command-and-Control
The missile has different ways to locate its target, including active radar, infrared, and satellite navigation, and it can receive updates during flight, which helps it stay on target accurately even in tough electronic warfare conditions.
This capability enables the J-35A to stealthily target enemy command-and-control planes before they can summon fighter assistance, a crucial aspect of the fifth-generation doctrine.
The aircraft can carry precision-guided munitions, cruise missiles, and anti-ship weapons on six external hardpoints while in strike mode. This versatility lets it switch between air superiority and multirole strike missions without any problems, depending on what the mission needs.
India currently relies on 4.5-generation fighters like the Rafale and Su-30MKI for its air superiority roles. Meanwhile, Pakistan has built credible first-strike and counter-air capabilities using stealth jets and advanced sensors. India is developing the AMCA under its “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Made in India) programme to achieve self-reliance in aviation.
AMCA project
However, experts believe the AMCA project may not deliver a fully operational stealth fighter before 2035. For now, the J-35A gives Pakistan a big edge in electronic warfare, sensor fusion, and long-range kill capabilities. These are all important for air superiority in future high-intensity battles.
In response, New Delhi is modernising its Su-30MKI fleet with new AESA radar, better avionics, and the ability to use R-37M hypersonic missiles that can hit high-value targets more than 300 kilometres away.
India is also looking into radar systems like Russia’s Container-S, which is a ground-based over-the-horizon radar that can find stealthy objects at long distances by bouncing signals off the sky.
Meanwhile, China has reportedly created a separate export branch for the J-35A to boost international sales. Moreover, this move clearly signals China’s intention to sell the fighter to friendly nations like Iran and Egypt. Additionally, Turkey may also become a potential customer, given its improving ties with China and shared strategic interests.
Conclusion
If Pakistan secures the J-35A first, it will accelerate stealth technology’s spread in conflict-prone regions. Moreover, this acquisition will introduce a powerful new variable into already complex regional threat dynamics.
The J-35A could become the most important stealth platform for the Global South, just like the U.S. F-35 has been a force multiplier for NATO and its allies. This is particularly relevant for countries that are unable to access Western technology.
As tensions rise across key regions, the J-35A offers affordable stealth capabilities for unstable theatres like the Indo-Pacific. Furthermore, this fifth-generation fighter could redefine airpower tactics in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Although Khawaja Asif publicly rejected the J-35A deal, Pakistan continues accelerating its stealth-related operations and pilot training.
Moreover, the rapid development of logistical infrastructure confirms Pakistan’s stealth era will arrive sooner rather than later. And when it gets there, the balance of airpower in South Asia may never be the same again.
References
- Global Times—bit.ly/J35DealDenied
- The Drive—bit.ly/J35Progress
- South China Morning Post—bit.ly/FC31Export
- Defense News—bit.ly/PakChinaTies
- Eurasian Times – bit.ly/PAFJ35Rumours
- Defense World—bit.ly/J35Specs
- India Today—bit.ly/AMCAStatus
- F-35 Comparison – bit.ly/J35vsF35
- J-35 & Kızılelma Link – bit.ly/J35Kizilelma
- J-35 Deliveries Begin—bit.ly/J35Deliveries
