Pakistan Advances with China’s Fifth-Generation J-35A While India Falls Behind

The recent visit of Pakistan’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar, to Beijing has sparked increased speculation regarding Islamabad’s potential acquisition of the Chinese-made fifth-generation stealth fighter, the J-35A. This visit coincided with rising regional tensions and a strategic shift, particularly as India announced a substantial US$36 billion (RM33.4 billion) deal to acquire 26 Rafale Marine and Rafale B fighter jets to enhance its naval aviation capabilities.

On April 8, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer engaged in significant discussions with China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun in Beijing, focusing on bolstering military cooperation amid the evolving security landscape in the region.

This meeting clearly indicates Pakistan’s deepening strategic partnership with China, particularly in advanced defense technologies and fifth-generation airpower. Reports from late last year suggested that Islamabad was preparing to acquire as many as 40 J-35A stealth fighters from China, with anticipated deliveries within two years, potentially accelerating Pakistan’s entry into the fifth-generation fighter arena.

If this deal is finalized, it would represent China’s inaugural export of a fifth-generation combat aircraft, marking a significant achievement that highlights Beijing’s aspirations to compete with Western dominance in the global fighter jet market.

The news of this potential sale followed a discreet visit to Islamabad in November 2023 by General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, who reportedly engaged in private discussions with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir.

Following Air Chief Marshal Zaheer’s recent visit to Beijing, discussions on Pakistani social media and among local defense analysts have indicated that China may be contemplating a faster delivery timeline for the J-35A jets, with the initial batch potentially arriving as soon as next year.

Beijing is reportedly cognizant of Pakistan’s pressing need to enhance its airpower capabilities in light of India’s swift acquisition of advanced 4.5-generation aircraft and has shown a readiness to expedite the transfer of these jets.

If the J-35A is integrated into the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), it could significantly alter the aerial power dynamics in the region, providing Islamabad with a substantial upgrade in stealth, survivability, and multi-role capabilities compared to India’s existing fleet.

Despite India’s strong arsenal of Su-30MKIs and French Rafales, it currently lacks a fifth-generation combat aircraft, which could create a notable technological gap if Pakistan moves forward with the J-35A procurement.

PAF officials initially indicated their plans to incorporate the stealth aircraft, developed by China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, into their operations in early 2024, highlighting its role as a key element of Pakistan’s future air combat strategy. Later that year, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer publicly affirmed that the aircraft would soon be operational within the PAF.

Negotiations are underway to facilitate the acquisition of the J-35A, which is set to join the Pakistan Air Force soon, he remarked.

Recent reports from various Pakistani media indicate that PAF pilots are currently receiving operational training in China for the J-35A, suggesting that the program is advancing swiftly behind the scenes.

The deployment of pilots for initial conversion training not only reflects Islamabad’s commitment but also demonstrates China’s assurance in the aircraft’s operational readiness and potential for export.

The J-35A, created by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), is a twin-engine stealth multirole fighter designed for both air superiority and ground-attack missions, catering to both land-based and carrier-based operational needs.

Its introduction into the Pakistani arsenal is part of a larger modernization initiative aimed at retiring older fourth-generation aircraft, such as the American F-16 and French Mirage 5, which have historically been the backbone of the PAF.

Once operational, the J-35A will enhance Pakistan’s current fleet of JF-17s and J-10Cs—both of which are also linked to Chinese projects—thereby strengthening an air combat framework based on Sino-Pakistani technological collaboration.

This developing partnership not only upgrades Pakistan’s air combat capabilities but also deepens its defense-industrial ties with Beijing, which is increasingly replacing the United States as Pakistan’s main arms supplier.

If Pakistan secures the full 40 units under consideration, the strategic ramifications for the air landscape in South Asia will be significant, particularly as India has yet to deploy or finalize its own fifth-generation fighter program.

Confronted with the PLA Air Force’s Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon,” New Delhi may soon find itself caught between two neighboring air forces equipped with advanced, low-observable fifth-generation strike capabilities.

Retired Air Commodore Zia Ul Haque Shamshi, a former high-ranking official in the Pakistan Air Force, asserts that the acquisition of the J-35A could provide Islamabad with a substantial aerial superiority over India for more than a decade.

“India is unlikely to achieve fifth-generation fighter capabilities within the next 12 to 14 years, which would give the Pakistan Air Force a distinct strategic advantage,” he stated.

Equipped with stealth features and sophisticated avionics, the J-35A would enable Pakistan to execute deeper penetration missions into contested airspace while successfully avoiding modern air defense systems and enemy radar networks.

The J-35A is China’s second fifth-generation aircraft, following the larger and heavier J-20, and it signifies Beijing’s effort to create a more cost-effective, export-oriented stealth fighter for international markets.

While specific technical details remain classified, publicly available intelligence has shed light on the aircraft’s impressive capabilities.

Design and Role:

The J-35A is a twin-engine, stealth-enabled multirole combat aircraft designed for all-weather operations, capable of both air superiority and strike missions.

Speed:

The aircraft is reported to reach speeds of up to Mach 2.0, exceeding the F-35’s maximum speed of Mach 1.6, which offers a significant advantage in both pursuit and evasion situations.

Engines:

Its dual-engine setup provides enhanced thrust, improved survivability, and better maneuverability in dynamic combat scenarios.

Stealth Features:

The J-35A incorporates an internal weapons bay, radar-absorbent materials, and a minimized radar cross-section, allowing it to undertake missions with a reduced likelihood of detection.

Avionics and Sensors:

The aircraft is anticipated to be equipped with advanced radar and sensor fusion technologies, which will enhance situational awareness, support network-centric warfare, and facilitate precise targeting.

Variants:

It is thought that two versions of the aircraft are under development—one intended for the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) and another designed for the PLA Navy (PLANAF), which will include compatibility for catapult launches.

With its stealth capabilities, long-range strike potential, and versatility across multiple domains, the J-35A is set to become a game-changing asset in the region, particularly if Pakistan deploys it ahead of India’s fifth-generation aircraft initiatives.