PAF J-35AE - News, Updates and Discussions

[mythbuster]

Just like the J-10C was 40 million per plane, and if you add up all the cost, it is 76 million per plane.

And the J-35 gonna end up as a war-tested aircraft like the J-10C.

Come on sir , you want Pakistan to be at war all the time to prove how good your weapons are ?

 

[东风夜放花千树]

You are missing out on the funding crunch and the potential game changer F-16V upgrades depending on how well Pakistan plays its cards in washington.

F-16s need to soldier on as well and be brought up to long range 200km BVR standard as well.....plus if anything, Pakistan can utilize the current goodwill in Washington to get some strike weapons for F-16s as well.

My friend, your idea is impossible to achieve.

Currently, the longest-range missile equipped by the U.S. Air Force is the AIM-174B, which has a range of 350 km. This missile weighs 1.5 tons and can only be mounted on heavy aircraft, and it does not belong to conventional air-to-air missiles. China and Russia both have similar weapons, with ranges that exceed the American AIM-174B.

The current mainstay weapon of the United States is the AIM-120D, with a maximum range of 160-180 km. The AIM-260A has a range of over 200 km, but this missile is currently in the testing and early deployment phase.

There are three issues at present.

First, in October 2025, the U.S. agreed to sell AIM-120D missiles to Pakistan, which is now in the process of procurement and upgrades. However, the U.S. states that this missile has a range of 160-180 km, which does not reach the 200 km range you mentioned.

Second, Pakistan has confirmed the range data for the PL-15E, but the range data for the U.S. missile cannot be verified. After testing, the Pakistani military can determine the missile's real range. Currently, the U.S. has only agreed to sell the AIM-120D, but procurement, delivery, and testing are still required. It is foreseeable that for a long time we will not be able to see the real missile data for the AIM-120D.

Third, I do not believe the U.S. can develop an air-to-air missile with a range exceeding 200 km within five years. The reason is simple: the U.S.'s dual-pulse technology cannot be miniaturized. If dual-pulse technology were that simple, when India obtained the PL-15E debris, many countries would not have been so eager to acquire it.

Currently, the operational air-to-air missiles that use dual-pulse technology are only the PL-15, PL-17, and PL-XX.

 

[东风夜放花千树]

Come on sir , you want Pakistan to be at war all the time to prove how good your weapons are ?

Relax, my friend. This is just the hope of a military enthusiast, just like our friends in Pakistan hope for the success of the JF-17. I hope you can understand this feeling.

We do not like war. During the May war, many Chinese admired the bravery and remarkable achievements of the Pakistani army. Our country does not easily participate in wars, so this friend overlooked the pain caused by war and mistakenly placed his hopes on you.

 

[Deino]

…

The J-35 is a carrier-based aircraft, and the J-35A is the Air Force version. If the news that Pakistan is purchasing the J-35 is true, it indicates that an export version of the J-35 has also been developed….

Never ever! And China will never sell the carrier variant to Pakistan and the fact that that’s is reported is IMO simply explained not by the unlikely explanation, an export version might be developed but simply since a reporter again does not differ between both versions, picked up again a rumour and included an error!

Again, such reports are not discussed in the public and when China delivers them - again IMO impossible mid-2026 - they will appear almost out of the blue but not after some repeatedly incredible claims were reposted several times.

 

[Venom]

Never ever! And China will never sell the carrier variant to Pakistan and the fact that that’s is reported is IMO simply explained not by the unlikely explanation, an export version might be developed but simply since a reporter again does not differ between both versions, picked up again a rumour and included an error!

Again, such reports are not discussed in the public and when China delivers them - again IMO impossible mid-2026 - they will appear almost out of the blue but not after some repeatedly incredible claims were reposted several times.

I am sure PAF may not even want the carrier version, but why would China specifically object to a carrier version if PAF wants it ?

 

[Deino]

I am sure PAF may not even want the carrier version, but why would China specifically object to a carrier version if PAF wants it ?

Why discussing about something unrealistic like what would be if the sum would raise in the North!

Why should Pakistan purchase a variant tailored for specifications that Pakistan does not have, which is heavier and likely a bit less capable especially for PAF‘s needs, when the export J-35AE is ready or at least soon?

It is always this nonsense of discussing of „we could get it whenever we want“ and why should we ….

 

[rafale]

Brother at current rate dassault wont start on Indian production before 2034-36. Likely HAL can start production on airframes by early 2030s but that still requires immediate effort and wont lead to servicable aircraft until those rafale components can be shipped from france. Even if france is willing to shelve some of its own orders for india theres just too much of an export backlog to get through and france really needs those aircraft ad well. Before 2035 they might get those rafale Ms but they wont get those ones IAF orders until later on

Yes you may be right, hopefully, that's what i wanted to say as well, that IAF is so poorly planned for procurement......add to that the inherit induction, training, tactics and conversion of squadrons delay, by the time they actually have the 114 rafales full combat ready, it would be late 2030s.

And they desperately need to retire out old jaguars, MK2000, Mig29s by then.

 

[Oscar]

First it was the crows and now it's the bees... Every creation of God is warning them of their ways yet they don't want to listen..

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Not relevant to this thread - and the time will come when even the rocks will work against them.
But not now.

 

[kimjongun]

Phir shinwari pe treat kon de rha hai J35 ane ke baad??????

 

[iron shrapnel]

Not relevant to this thread - and the time will come when even the rocks will work against them.
But not now.

Sorry ! Honest mistake, I thought it was the Iran Israel thread. My bad !

 

[Harbyharb]

You are missing out on the funding crunch and the potential game changer F-16V upgrades depending on how well Pakistan plays its cards in washington.

F-16s need to soldier on as well and be brought up to long range 200km BVR standard as well.....plus if anything, Pakistan can utilize the current goodwill in Washington to get some strike weapons for F-16s as well.

A few weeks ago I would’ve told you not to count on it. After the US’ withdrawal in Afghanistan and adding on the long term strategic need to pivot to Asia, contain China in the Indo-pacific and thus woo India, the US no longer have a reason to militarily bolster Pakistan, and I would say whatever goodwill US have for Pakistan is more of a leftover inertia of the geopol policy machine.

But, though I sincerely hope not, with the recent events Pakistan may once again emerge as a vital player if the current tomfoolery spirals out of control, boots lands on the ground, and we find ourselves in another protracted shitshow that could last a decade or two. The very thought gave me physical pain.

Still, F-16 as a platform, compared to the J-10 (or other “medium” jets like MiG-29, Super Hornet and Rafale for that matter), is the lightest and smallest by external dimensions and internal volume, and thus limited in the amount of upgrades and features it could house. Take the most notable component, the radar, for example - the F-16 was not designed with having a powerful radar as priority, and thus a heavier, liquid-cooled, powerful radar with large aperture like the ones found on the J-10C that would enable longer detection range and continuous operation would be out of the question, instead settling for a lighter, less powerful, air-cooled aperture like the APG-83. Over time, I would say the J-10 is the platform with more potential, and China is also probably the more likely partner that would be willing to modify their base designs and tailor to the needs and the gained experience of the PAF

 

[mythbuster]

A few weeks ago I would’ve told you not to count on it. After the US’ withdrawal in Afghanistan and adding on the long term strategic need to pivot to Asia, contain China in the Indo-pacific and thus woo India, the US no longer have a reason to militarily bolster Pakistan, and I would say whatever goodwill US have for Pakistan is more of a leftover inertia of the geopol policy machine.

But, though I sincerely hope not, with the recent events Pakistan may once again emerge as a vital player if the current tomfoolery spirals out of control, boots lands on the ground, and we find ourselves in another protracted shitshow that could last a decade or two. The very thought gave me physical pain.

Still, F-16 as a platform, compared to the J-10 (or other “medium” jets like MiG-29, Super Hornet and Rafale for that matter), is the lightest and smallest by external dimensions and internal volume, and thus limited in the amount of upgrades and features it could house. Take the most notable component, the radar, for example - the F-16 was not designed with having a powerful radar as priority, and thus a heavier, liquid-cooled, powerful radar with large aperture like the ones found on the J-10C that would enable longer detection range and continuous operation would be out of the question, instead settling for a lighter, less powerful, air-cooled aperture like the APG-83. Over time, I would say the J-10 is the platform with more potential, and China is also probably the more likely partner that would be willing to modify their base designs and tailor to the needs and the gained experience of the PAF

Unfounded fears can lead to paranoia , rest assured Pakistan is not getting into any prolonged quagmire....yep , J 10 is better for us anyway you look at it.

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Come on sir , you want Pakistan to be at war all the time to prove how good your weapons are ?

Nobody like war, because the commoners like you and me gonna become the most affected victims.

However, we are now living in a turbulent world where war becomes inevitable some time.

Yep, but you are right, it is better for the weapons to not be battle-tested.

 

[Venom]

Why discussing about something unrealistic like what would be if the sum would raise in the North!

Why should Pakistan purchase a variant tailored for specifications that Pakistan does not have, which is heavier and likely a bit less capable especially for PAF‘s needs, when the export J-35AE is ready or at least soon?

It is always this nonsense of discussing of „we could get it whenever we want“ and why should we ….

Yes from Pakistans requirements it doesn’t make sense. I thought you meant the restriction is from China to export j35.

 

[lightning f57]

A few weeks ago I would’ve told you not to count on it. After the US’ withdrawal in Afghanistan and adding on the long term strategic need to pivot to Asia, contain China in the Indo-pacific and thus woo India, the US no longer have a reason to militarily bolster Pakistan, and I would say whatever goodwill US have for Pakistan is more of a leftover inertia of the geopol policy machine.

But, though I sincerely hope not, with the recent events Pakistan may once again emerge as a vital player if the current tomfoolery spirals out of control, boots lands on the ground, and we find ourselves in another protracted shitshow that could last a decade or two. The very thought gave me physical pain.

Still, F-16 as a platform, compared to the J-10 (or other “medium” jets like MiG-29, Super Hornet and Rafale for that matter), is the lightest and smallest by external dimensions and internal volume, and thus limited in the amount of upgrades and features it could house. Take the most notable component, the radar, for example - the F-16 was not designed with having a powerful radar as priority, and thus a heavier, liquid-cooled, powerful radar with large aperture like the ones found on the J-10C that would enable longer detection range and continuous operation would be out of the question, instead settling for a lighter, less powerful, air-cooled aperture like the APG-83. Over time, I would say the J-10 is the platform with more potential, and China is also probably the more likely partner that would be willing to modify their base designs and tailor to the needs and the gained experience of the PAF

If im PAF I would like some F16v's and the J35, but if funds is the main challenge I know where I am going for priority!