Beijing, June 5 - China has reportedly finalized the sale of its advanced stealth fighter jet, the Shenyang J-35A, to the Pakistan Air Force, marking a significant milestone in the defense cooperation between the two nations. This development, reported by various defense and aviation outlets, underscores the deepening strategic partnership between Beijing and Islamabad, particularly in the context of regional security dynamics in South Asia. The J-35A, a fifth-generation stealth fighter developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), a subsidiary of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), represents a leap forward in military technology and is poised to enhance the capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force significantly.
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The Shenyang J-35A is a twin-engine, multirole stealth fighter derived from the earlier FC-31 Gyrfalcon prototype, which was initially a privately funded project aimed at the export market after SAC lost the J-XX program bid to the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. Over time, growing interest from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the PLA Navy led to the evolution of the FC-31 into two formal variants: the land-based J-35A for the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) and a carrier-based version for the PLA Naval Air Force (PLANAF). The J-35A is designed for medium-range missions, offering multirole agility with advanced features such as stealth capabilities, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and compatibility with cutting-edge Chinese munitions like the PL-17 air-to-air missile, which boasts a long-range strike capability estimated at around 400 kilometers.
This makes the J-35A a formidable platform, complementing China’s flagship stealth fighter, the Chengdu J-20, and positioning it as a potential game-changer for allied air forces like Pakistan’s. Reports indicate that the Pakistan Air Force is set to acquire between 30 and 40 J-35A aircraft, though official confirmation from both China and Pakistan remains pending. Pakistani government officials, speaking anonymously to specialized media, have suggested that the first batch of these stealth jets could arrive within the coming months, signaling a rapid timeline for integration. To prepare for this induction, a group of Pakistani pilots is reportedly undergoing training in China, familiarizing themselves with the fifth-generation platform’s advanced systems and operational requirements.
This move aligns with Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to modernize its air force, which already includes recent additions like the JF-17 Thunder Block III and J-10CE fighters, both of which have been sourced from China. The sale of the J-35A to Pakistan marks the first known export of a Chinese fifth-generation stealth fighter, a significant achievement for Beijing’s defense industry. This deal not only bolsters the Pakistan Air Force’s capabilities but also enhances.