In a move, the Pakistan government led by Shehbaz Sharif is planning to buy 40 of China’s new J-35 stealth fighter jets, as reported by a Chinese media outlet.
The land-based version of the J-35, called the J-35A, will be revealed on Tuesday (24 Dec) at an airshow right after the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) celebrates its 75th anniversary, as reported by The South China Morning Post.
It is expected to affect the military balance in the region, between Pakistan and India. As told by China’s state-run People’s Daily, the J-35A is for air superiority missions. These jets are smaller than China’s other aircraft, like the J-20, which has around 200 jets in service with the PLAAF.
Pakistan Air Force’s plan
> The approval has come for 40 J-35 jets by the Pakistani Air Force with the deliveries expected within two years as reported by the Pakistan media.
> PAF’s aging fleet of American F-16s and French Mirage fighters will be replaced by these aircrafts.
> In January, Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu said, “The foundation for acquiring the J-31 stealth fighter aircraft has already been laid.”
In July, local media outlet BOL News reported that PAF pilots had begun formal training on the J-31 stealth fighter jets in China.
China-Pakistan alliance
Until now there has been no official confirmation from Beijing or China’s state media mentioning the deal; the conjecture increased after the J-35 was exhibited at the annual air show in Zhuhai last month. Senior PAF officials attended the event, which further triggered the talks about the potential acquisition.
There has been a strong military alliance between China and Pakistan. As Beijing persists in investing billions in modernising the armed forces of its own, it further plays a strong role in strengthening Pakistan’s defence competence across all military branches.
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(With inputs from agencies)