Is the J-35 Deal Pakistan’s Biggest Strategic Leap Yet?

New Delhi, 20th June: As Pakistan edges closer to inducting the Chinese-made J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighters—an elite acquisition that few nations possess—India finds itself in an uncomfortable strategic position. With no operational stealth fighters of its own, the balance of air power in South Asia may be shifting, at least temporarily.

In November 2024, China unveiled the J-35, its second fifth-generation stealth jet. Designed for multirole missions, the J-35 is a twin-engine, single-seat supersonic aircraft equipped with cutting-edge systems: active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, electro-optical targeting, and infrared search-and-track (IRST). China Daily noted its ability to integrate with ground-based systems, share target coordinates, and guide external weapon systems—traits that make it a force multiplier in network-centric warfare.

The Global Times, Beijing’s official mouthpiece, hailed the J-35 as a game-changer, designed to dominate within a stealth-versus-stealth framework. It directly challenges the American F-35, widely considered the most advanced—and expensive—fighter jet ever built. Though untested in real combat, the J-35 reportedly has a radar cross-section of just 0.001 square meters, making it extremely difficult to detect.

Reports indicate Islamabad will acquire 40 J-35s—technically the FC-31 export variant—with deliveries beginning later this year. While this version is believed to be slightly downgraded from the PLANAF (People’s Liberation Army Navy Air Force) variant, it will still represent a quantum leap in capability for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), which currently operates JF-17 and J-10C fighters.

The FC-31 is no toy. It includes the signature stealth design, IRST in the nose cone, and multirole capability—crucial for surprise attacks and air defence penetration. With the J-35, Pakistan joins an exclusive club of stealth aircraft operators, leapfrogging ahead of India, whose fifth-generation project remains years away from fruition.

India’s indigenous stealth fighter—the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—is still in the early development phase. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh only recently cleared the execution model. The rollout of a prototype is expected by 2028–29, but operational induction isn’t anticipated before 2035. That leaves India with a decade-long capability gap in a region growing increasingly hostile.

Former IAF pilot and defence analyst Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat (Retd.) was blunt in his assessment: “Any version of the J-35 in Pakistani colours is going to raise concerns for our side… It is worrying news.”

India, he said, is left with only “two bad choices”—the American F-35 and the Russian Su-57. Neither is fully compatible with India’s long-term strategy or indigenous weapons ecosystem. “The only good choice is AMCA,” Ahlawat asserted, calling for a “national mission-mode push” to accelerate its development.

Military planners are now forced to consider the implications of China and Pakistan simultaneously operating stealth platforms. In the event of multi-front conflict, India’s radar systems and air defences could be overwhelmed by near-invisible aircraft coordinating attacks from two axes.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) still enjoys qualitative superiority with French Rafales, Su-30MKIs, and Mirage-2000s in its fleet. But stealth changes the equation. Stealth jets don’t just dodge radar; they neutralize the kill-chain before detection—striking before air defences can respond.

India must urgently address this emerging stealth gap. That means upgrading its radar and air defence infrastructure and putting AMCA on a fast track. Until then, the strategic skies over South Asia remain in flux—clouded by uncertainty and the growing shadow of the J-35.