Reports say China is accelerating the delivery of J-35A to Pakistan.
The International Military Security website "Asian Defense & Security" reported that Pakistan plans to purchase up to 40 Chinese fifth-generation stealth fighters, J-35A, enabling the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to surpass its long-term rival India in the air for over a decade.
According to retired Pakistan Air Force Brigadier General Zia-ul-Haq Shamshi, the arrival of the J-35A fleet will give Pakistan an "advantage of 12 to 14 years" in stealth fighter capabilities compared to India's current aerial inventory.
"It is expected that India will not deploy fifth-generation fighters during this period, which will give Pakistan a strategic advantage in the region," he said, emphasizing the potential operational vacuum India may face.
The Pakistan Air Force first expressed interest in J-35A in 2024. Chief Marshal Zahid Ahmed Babar Siddoo of the Pakistan Air Force announced during an official meeting that this stealth platform would soon be added to the equipment list of the Pakistan Air Force.
General Siddoo stated, "Negotiations for the procurement of J-35A have been held, and this fighter will become part of the Pakistan Air Force in the near future," implying an accelerated timeline for induction.
Reports indicate that China is accelerating the delivery progress of the J-35A, with the first aircraft potentially arriving in Pakistan as early as 2025—much earlier than the previously estimated two-year timeframe.
Multiple reports confirm that Pakistan has already sent its first batch of fighter pilots to China to begin training on the J-35A platform, clearly indicating that the deal is no longer just at the planning stage.
The introduction of J-35A is expected to eventually phase out Pakistan's aging F-16 and Mirage 5 fleets and replace them with platforms featuring next-generation survivability, lethality, and sensor fusion capabilities.
For Pakistan, J-35A is more than just a fighter; it symbolizes technological parity, geopolitical signaling, and a transformation in future air theory, enabling it to conduct deeper, more lethal, and stealthier operations in high-threat environments.
The deployment of J-35A not only marks a technical upgrade but also a strategic adjustment in the balance of air power in South Asia, influencing conflict escalation, deterrence posture, and regional arms races in the Indo-Pacific theater.
Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1832247579837580/
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