South Asia: Pakistan has officially confirmed its acquisition of China’s cutting-edge J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighter. This historic defense procurement is not merely a transactional military deal—it marks a major strategic shift in Islamabad’s defense posture and signals a deepening geopolitical partnership with Beijing at a time of growing regional volatility.
The catalyst for the announcement came from an unlikely yet telling source: a social media post by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The image, showing a Pakistani Air Force (PAF) pilot seated confidently inside the cockpit of the J-35A stealth fighter, accompanied by a brief caption—“Buyers gives good reviews”—has provided visual confirmation of what had been long speculated in defense circles.
The understated caption masks the profound implications of the photo: Pakistan is not only procuring the J-35A, but its pilots are already in China undergoing operational training. This suggests that integration into PAF squadrons is imminent—likely within the next 12 to 18 months—thereby altering the strategic aerial equation across South Asia and beyond.
The J-35A, developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), is China’s second indigenously developed fifth-generation stealth fighter, after the more advanced but expensive J-20 “Mighty Dragon.” Intended as a more affordable export-oriented solution, the J-35A is a twin-engine, radar-evading, multi-role stealth platform, capable of both air superiority and precision strike missions. Its design characteristics—such as an internal weapons bay, angular fuselage, and blended wing-body configuration—place it squarely in the fifth-generation category.
According to defense experts, the J-35A reflects China’s ambition to become a global arms exporter on par with the United States and Russia, particularly for advanced aerospace systems. Unlike the American F-35, which is subject to strict export controls and political restrictions, the J-35A offers a more politically accessible and cost-competitive alternative for nations like Pakistan, which face Western arms embargoes or strategic constraints.
For Pakistan, acquiring the J-35A represents a monumental leap in capability. It is a move that places the PAF among the elite group of air forces operating fifth-generation fighters, which currently includes the United States, China, Russia, and a few select U.S. allies.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s government publicly confirmed the acquisition of not just the J-35A, but also the KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEWC) aircraft, and the HQ-19 long-range surface-to-air missile system. This trio forms a potent triad that enhances Pakistan’s situational awareness, command-and-control reach, and air defense umbrella.
“The Chinese military package to Pakistan is a testament to the diplomatic and defence successes under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” a government statement read. “These high-technology military assets will significantly boost the capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force and national air defence systems in line with the demands of modern warfare.”
This acquisition comes amid elevated tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) with India. Recent cross-border skirmishes and the increased frequency of aerial incursions underscore the urgency with which Islamabad is seeking to modernize its air force.
China is expediting the delivery of the first batch of J-35A fighters, now scheduled to arrive in Pakistan by early 2026—six months ahead of the original timeline. Senior PAF officials speaking to Janes confirmed that Pakistani pilots are already undergoing training in China, further underlining the swift pace of integration.
Pakistan reportedly plans to acquire up to 40 J-35A aircraft, likely divided into two or three operational squadrons. This will make Pakistan the first foreign operator of the J-35A and, by extension, the first Muslim-majority nation to induct a fifth-generation stealth fighter into service.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar, in 2024, had hinted at the deal, noting, “Negotiations have already taken place for the acquisition of the J-35A, which will soon become part of the Pakistan Air Force.”
Perhaps equally transformative is the reported inclusion of China’s PL-17 very-long-range air-to-air missile (VLRAAM) in the J-35A package. The PL-17, also known as the PL-XX, is designed to engage high-value airborne targets such as AWACS, refueling aircraft, and electronic warfare platforms at standoff ranges exceeding 400 km.
With a multi-mode seeker that combines active radar, IR sensors, and satellite navigation, the PL-17 enables beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagements with high kill probability. It significantly elevates the J-35A’s effectiveness in networked warfare scenarios and provides Pakistan with a credible deterrent against technologically superior foes, notably India’s SU-30MKIs and Rafale fighters.
The J-35A’s development has also spawned a carrier-capable variant known simply as the J-35. While the export J-35A is tailored for land-based operations, its naval counterpart—designed for China’s expanding aircraft carrier fleet—underscores the aircraft’s modular architecture and future scalability.
Some analysts speculate that Pakistan may eventually explore a navalized version for deployment on any future aircraft carriers, particularly if Islamabad continues to expand its blue-water naval capabilities under China’s guidance.
The J-35A’s earlier prototypes were believed to use the Russian RD-93 engine—similar to that in the jointly developed JF-17 Thunder—but newer variants now reportedly incorporate China’s indigenously developed WS-13E turbofan engines. These engines offer improved thrust, fuel efficiency, and reduced infrared signature—key factors in maintaining the stealth profile and high-altitude maneuverability of fifth-generation platforms.
Furthermore, the aircraft features sensor fusion capabilities, including distributed aperture systems, integrated electronic warfare suites, and real-time data links with AEW&C platforms like the KJ-500, forming a highly networked and reactive aerial strike force.
Pakistan’s current fleet comprises a mix of Chinese JF-17s, American F-16s, and aging French Mirage III/V variants. While the JF-17 continues to see upgrades—including the Block-III variant with AESA radar—the J-35A introduces a qualitatively superior platform capable of deep penetration, electronic suppression, and precision strikes—all while remaining nearly invisible to enemy radar.
The incorporation of J-35As into PAF doctrine signals a shift toward a more layered, integrated defense and offensive air strategy. Coupled with the KJ-500 AEWC and the HQ-19 anti-air/anti-missile system, Pakistan is building a multi-domain operational framework that enhances deterrence and reduces response time in potential conflict scenarios.
India, Pakistan’s primary regional adversary, has taken notice. New Delhi has been ramping up procurement of its own fifth-generation fighter, the indigenous AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), while also expanding its Rafale fleet. However, AMCA is still in development, and India’s F-35 acquisition talks with the U.S. remain in preliminary stages.
The arrival of the J-35A in Pakistan complicates India’s airpower calculus. While India maintains a numerical and technological advantage through diversified sourcing and superior logistics, Pakistan’s stealth fighters could potentially challenge Indian airspace dominance in specific high-risk sectors, particularly along the western frontier.
This development could trigger a renewed arms race in the subcontinent, with New Delhi likely accelerating both its AMCA project and additional purchases of Israeli air defense systems and U.S.-built platforms.
From Beijing’s perspective, supplying Pakistan with fifth-generation aircraft is part of a broader strategy to establish military-technological spheres of influence. Just as the U.S. maintains air superiority in the Asia-Pacific through F-35 exports to Japan, South Korea, and Australia, China is grooming Pakistan as a frontline recipient of its own fifth-gen arsenal.
Through the J-35A, Beijing demonstrates its confidence in its aerospace industry, while also testing the export viability of its stealth technology. If successful in Pakistan, the J-35A could open up new markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia, where U.S. arms restrictions often leave room for Chinese alternatives.
Pakistan’s acquisition of the J-35A stealth fighter is more than a military upgrade—it is a paradigm shift in regional power dynamics. With Chinese assistance, Islamabad is moving swiftly to equip itself for 21st-century aerial warfare, one in which stealth, data integration, long-range munitions, and networked systems define battlefield success.
As the first foreign operator of China’s stealth fighter, Pakistan now stands at the forefront of a new aerial age in the Global South. For Beijing, this deal cements its status as a credible alternative to Western aerospace hegemony.
