Islamabad, May 20 - Pakistan is set to receive advanced J-35A stealth fighter jets from China more quickly than anticipated, potentially altering the military balance in South Asia. The initial aircraft are projected to be ready for use by the beginning of 2026. This move underscores the deepening strategic partnership between Beijing and Islamabad, while raising concerns about the regional balance of power, particularly in relation to India. The J-35A, developed by China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, represents a significant leap in military aviation technology, positioning Pakistan as the first foreign recipient of China’s fifth-generation stealth fighter and potentially altering the aerial warfare landscape in the region.
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The J-35A, an evolution of the FC-31 Gyrfalcon prototype, is a twin-engine, multi-role stealth fighter designed for both air superiority and precision strike missions. It is China’s second fifth-generation stealth platform, following the larger J-20, and is intended to complement the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) while serving as a cost-effective export option. The aircraft features advanced stealth characteristics, including a low radar cross-section achieved through edge-aligned control surfaces and serpentine inlets that obscure engine blades from radar detection. Powered by Guizhou WS-19 engines, the J-35A offers enhanced performance over its predecessors, with sophisticated avionics, improved sensor fusion, and a wider range of weaponry, including advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. Its versatility allows it to operate in contested environments, providing Pakistan with a significant upgrade over its existing fleet of fourth-generation fighters like the JF-17 Thunder and F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Pakistan’s acquisition of approximately 40 J-35A jets, with deliveries expected within two years, marks a strategic pivot toward modernizing its air force amid regional tensions. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has been actively preparing for this transition, with reports indicating that PAF pilots began training on the platform in China as early as August 2024. This expedited timeline reflects China’s commitment to bolstering Pakistan’s military capabilities, likely as a counterweight to India’s air power, which currently lacks a fifth-generation stealth fighter. The J-35A’s introduction could provide Pakistan with a temporary technological edge, enhancing its deterrence posture and complicating India’s air defense strategies. The Indian Air Force, grappling with a shrinking combat fleet, is focusing on upgrading its Rafale and Su-30MKI aircraft while developing its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which is not expected to be operational before 2030.
The fast-tracked delivery of the J-35A to Pakistan also highlights China’s growing ambitions in the global arms market. By exporting its most advanced fighter jet, Beijing aims to challenge the dominance of Western and Russian platforms, offering a cost-effective alternative for nations unable to procure systems like the U.S. F-35. The deal, reportedly finalized after high-level discussions during a visit by a senior Chinese military official to Pakistan in 2024, builds on decades of defense cooperation, including the co-development of the JF-17 Thunder. However, the financial details remain unclear, raising questions about how Pakistan, facing economic challenges, will fund this ambitious procurement. Speculation suggests China may extend favorable loan terms, further deepening Islamabad’s economic reliance on Beijing. This development carries significant implications for regional security. The J-35A’s stealth and networked warfare capabilities could enhance Pakistan’s ability to conduct operations in contested airspace, potentially shifting the military balance in South Asia. For India, the challenge is to accelerate its modernization efforts to counter this emerging threat. Meanwhile, China’s successful export of the J-35A to Pakistan could pave the way for additional sales to other nations, such as Egypt, which has expressed interest in the platform. As the first units prepare to take flight by early 2026, the J-35A’s arrival in Pakistan marks a pivotal moment in the region’s evolving strategic landscape, with far-reaching consequences for air power and geopolitical alignments.