islamabad
Pakistan has approved a plan to purchase 40 J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets from China. This is likely to increase competition in the defense sector between India and Pakistan. These aircraft will be delivered to Pakistan in the next two years. J-35 is a new version of China’s J-31 which it has designed keeping in mind the purpose of selling. It is being said that with the delivery of these aircraft, Pakistan will be 12 years ahead of India in air power. Although this claim is from Chinese experts.
According to the report of South China Morning Post (SCMP), this aircraft is designed for air maneuvering and to attack land and sea targets. Next generation avionics and advanced stealth technology have been used in it. SCMP says that this aircraft has been designed to replace Pakistan’s old American F-16 and French Mirage fighter jets. This will be the first export of fifth-generation fighter jets by China to a friendly nation. According to defense experts, this move could change the balance of power in South Asia.
Pakistan’s strategic move
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has already started training its pilots in China for the J-35. In January, Pakistani Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu had said that the groundwork for acquiring the J-35 had been laid. According to SCMP, these aircraft can give Pakistan a strategic edge over India. Retired PAF officer Zia Ul Haq Shamsi says that the deployment of J-35 aircraft can give Pakistan an edge over India for the next 12-14 years. However, some experts consider this period to be limited to 7-8 years. Let us tell you that despite the serious economic crisis being faced by Pakistan, the process of purchasing new aircraft is being taken forward.
There has been no official confirmation of this in Beijing, nor is there any mention of such a deal in the government media here. The J-35 is primarily considered a fighter jet for Chinese aircraft carriers. The aircraft was displayed at the annual air show held in Zhuhai city last month, which was attended by top PAF officials. China is currently the only country in the region that has developed stealth aircraft. China and Pakistan share deep military ties. China is helping in the modernization of all three wings of Pakistan’s army. China has modernized its own armed forces with billions of dollars of defense spending. China has helped Pakistan to jointly develop and operate the J-17 Thunder fighter aircraft.
India’s indigenous scheme
In contrast, India has focused on its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program to develop fifth-generation fighter jets. According to the 2024-25 report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, deliveries of AMCA aircraft are expected to begin in the next decade. However, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is facing many technical and timeline challenges in this project.
expert opinion
Speaking to SCMP, Brendan Mulvaney, director of the US Air Force’s China Aerospace Studies Institute, said, “Pakistan’s move reflects a shift away from the West and towards China.” However, he also said that how effective the J-35 is will depend on the weapons, sensors and C4ISR (Command, Control, Communication, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) provided by China. At the same time, critics have raised questions about Pakistan’s economic condition and its ability to maintain such an advanced platform.
Pakistan struggling with debt and hunger
Pakistan is taking loan after loan and a large part of its population is struggling with hunger but the obsession with equality with India is dominant. Recently a World Bank report said that China is at the top in terms of giving loans to Pakistan. It has given the maximum loan of about 29 billion dollars. Whereas Saudi Arabia is in second place with a debt of about $9.16 billion. According to the report, however, China’s share in Pakistan’s total foreign debt has decreased. It was 25 percent in 2023, which has now come down to 22 percent. Whereas Saudi Arabia’s share increased from two percent in 2023 to seven percent in 2024. According to the report, however, China’s share in Pakistan’s total foreign debt has decreased. It was 25 percent in 2023, which has now come down to 22 percent. Whereas Saudi Arabia’s share increased from two percent in 2023 to seven percent in 2024.
