Big blow to Pakistan as China may not give J-35A stealth fighter jet to Islamabad soon, may deliver the jet first to...
Big blow to Pakistan as China may not give J-35A stealth fighter jet to Islamabad soon, may deliver the net first to..
J-35A Stealth Fighter Jet: Pakistan, China's close ally, may not be the first country to acquire the Dragon's fifth-generation stealth fighter Shenyang J-35A. A report published in Air Forces Monthly, which is a leading military aviation magazine published by Key Publishing Ltd in Stamford and Lincolnshire, rejects earlier reports saying that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) would receive its first batch of 40 J-35A fighter aircraft by August 2025. As per the magazine, another country, whose name has not been disclosed, will be the first recipient of China's fifth-generation fighter jet. Notably, delivery of the J-35A to Pakistan is expected to be delayed until 2026 or later, and it will also take two to three years for completion of the order. Notably, the fifth-generation stealth fighter has entered Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP). J-35A Stealth Fighter Jet
The fifth-generation stealth fighter jet is developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, which was unveiled in November last year at the Zhuhai Air Show. J-35A is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter jet which is known for its stealth feature. It is the second fifth-generation stealth jet of China after the Chengdu J-20. The J-35A is specifically designed for precision strike mission and loaded with advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars and stealth-optimised airframe. It is also designed to be compatible with long-range missiles like the PL-17. Framed as a more affordable export option compared to US's F-35, the J-35A is designed to strengthen the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and act as a major export offering for partner nations such as Pakistan. Pakistan's Interest In J-35A
Pakistan started showing interest in J-35A in December last year. As per several reports, Islamabad had ordered approx 40 J-35A fighter jets with a defence package including KJ-500 AEW&C aircraft and HQ-19 surface-to-air missile systems. Promoted as a game-changer for the PAF, the deal was anticipated to offer a short-term technological advantage over IAF, which is not expected to field a fifth-gen fighter until its homegrown Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) becomes operational around 2030. Not only that Pak's pilots reportedly started training on the fifth-generation stealth fighter in August 2024 in China.
However, the latest report from Air Forces Monthly, citing sources, states that an unnamed country, possibly Egypt, Algeria, or Saudi Arabia, may become the first to acquire the J-35A during its LRIP phase. The report doesn't specify why China holds Pak's order, but suggests that Beijing is prioritising other customers.
If the report is true, PAF will start receiving J-35A in 2026, with the full order of 40 jets completed between 2028 or 2029.
The identity of the unnamed country could carry a major geopolitical weight. If a Middle Eastern like – Saudi Arabia or Egypt acquires the J-35A fighter aircraft, it may indicate China's ambition to extend its defence reach beyond its traditional partners like Pakistan, reshaping regional power dynamics.
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