GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 20th June: In a major development that could alter the regional air power balance, China is set to supply 40 fifth-generation Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter jets to Pakistan, according to reports. With this induction, Pakistan becomes one of the few countries globally to operate stealth fighters—an exclusive club India has yet to join.
The Indian Air Force (IAF), which currently lacks an operational stealth aircraft, is developing its own fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), but the indigenous fighter is not expected to be inducted before 2035.
Speaking to NDTV, senior IAF veterans expressed concern over the development, which marks a significant technological leap for Pakistan’s air capabilities.
J-35 Induction: A Calculated Move
Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat (Retd.), a former IAF fighter pilot and defence analyst, confirmed that Pakistani fighter pilots have been training in China for over six months in anticipation of this transfer.
“Pakistan receiving these jets is not a surprise at all,” he said. “Their pilots have been training on the FC-31—a toned-down export version of the J-35—well ahead of delivery. The only real surprise is the early arrival.”
The FC-31 variant, intended for export, is understood to be less capable than the J-35 operated by the Chinese Navy. Nonetheless, its stealth features and modern avionics represent a significant upgrade over Pakistan’s existing fleet.
India’s Stealth Gap and Strategic Choices
India’s AMCA programme, led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), remains in the early development phase, with a prototype expected by 2028-29 and full-scale induction by 2035. The delay has prompted debate among military experts over stop-gap measures.
“It’s worrying news,” said Group Captain Ahlawat. “For decades, we maintained a qualitative edge over Pakistan. Any version of the J-35 in Pakistani colours raises concerns. Unfortunately, we’re now left with two bad choices: the F-35 or the Su-57. The only good choice is AMCA—and it must be fast-tracked.”
Call for Interim Capability Boost
Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor (Retd.), who served in key planning roles within the IAF, suggested India consider a government-to-government (G2G) acquisition of Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fighters as a temporary solution.
“Pakistan is likely to receive all 40 aircraft by December this year,” he told NDTV. “We cannot wait ten more years while adversaries on both fronts advance rapidly. Su-57 offers compatibility with our existing systems and outperforms the F-35 in some respects.”
Kapoor argued that such a deal should include technology transfer and integration rights for DRDO-developed weapons, helping bridge the gap until AMCA is ready.
Divergence in Opinion on Su-57
Group Captain Ahlawat, however, strongly disagreed, citing India’s past experience with Russia’s FGFA programme, which was based on the Su-57.
“We evaluated the Su-57 and didn’t like what we saw,” he said. “India spent $350 million on the programme and then walked away. Russia hasn’t even fielded a fully operational regiment. If we must choose, the F-35, though limited, is a less bad option. But ideally, we should double down on AMCA.”
Strategic Implications
While India still holds advantages in training, experience, and fleet diversity, the J-35 deal signals Pakistan’s intent to reduce the capability gap. The move also reflects China’s growing willingness to transfer sensitive military technologies to regional allies.
As the regional air race accelerates, India’s focus now turns to pushing AMCA into a national mission-mode project—before the balance of air power in South Asia begins to shift decisively.
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