PAF J-35AE - News, Updates and Discussions

[Bilal]

Being a Markhoor you should have developed an antidote for confusion venom by now .

Bro

 

[Aziqbal]

Rafale, Su-30, Su-35, all of these were supposed to dominate according to simulations, yet in actual combat they've all been found lacking.

Simulations don't mean combat proven. Being in combat and succeeding means combat proven.

actually in Ukraine the Su-35 is one of the most heavily used aircraft for air superiority in Ukraine with lowest losses, its only behind the Mig-31 and Su-57 (no loss)

if anything its the ground attack Su34 that has suffered the most in Ukraine

along with older Su24

 

[Ali_Baba]

Honestly, let's wait and see ... and as long as no additional J-10CE were delivered, the transfer of J-35AE is even less likely.

The lack of further orders for J10CE is interesting, but to me, I interpret that as PAF not wanting to increase the J10CE fleet any further for now(or ever), and instead wanting to focus on the J-35AE sooner than later.

 

[Deino]

actually in Ukraine the Su-35 is one of the most heavily used aircraft for air superiority in Ukraine with lowest losses, its only behind the Mig-31 and Su-57 (no loss)

if anything its the ground attack Su34 that has suffered the most in Ukraine

along with older Su24

Can we finally stop this nonsense - aka if or how much the Su-57 is battle-proven in Ukraine - here in this thread!?? It's really annoying.

 

[Maarkhoor]

Bro

I developed antidot but not working in every field.

I can chew snakes but hard to chew rats etc.

 

[Michael]

...... here in this thread!?? It's really annoying.

Obviously, your "INT'L MOD" status is invalid in this thread...

 

[MirageV3ff]

The lack of further orders for J10CE is interesting, but to me, I interpret that as PAF not wanting to increase the J10CE fleet any further for now(or ever), and instead wanting to focus on the J-35AE sooner than later.

I think PAF is looking at its options in lieu of the defence pact and what platforms it may have available to it.

Block 72 vipers may be procured and block V upgrades for the current fleet which meet the criteria for it.

J-10 numbers may increase to 36-40, basically the contracted number of J-10s being fullfilled.

PAF may operated a mix of F-16 and J-10s in the medium weight class for the foreseeable future.

And as you've mentioned, PAF will mostly be focusing on procuring NGFAs and a long term plan to phase out legacy platforms

 

[HH-9A]

Pakistan is expected to get the J-35 sometime at the end of this year, to the middle of next year, and that Pakistan seems to have expedited matters. Also, we won't know about any J-35 in Pakistan for atleast a year after Pakistan has acquired it. Finally, just because the J-35 is seen flying in Pakistan, does not mean Pakistan has inducted it in any capacity.

There, that's the summary.

On the contrary, if any J35AP is spotted in Pakistan sky, I would expect a fleet of them should already arrive, just like what we’ve seen for J10CP. Pakistani pilots can always have their initial training in the new platform in Chengdu, and fly J35AP back themselves.

 

[That_Guy]

The Su-35 has regularly achieved long range air kills in Ukraine theater despite not having the best BVR, exactly as it was designed to do. It also gets shot down because it too is facing combat proven (F-16) platforms.

Getting a few lucky shots means nothing, when its been so inconsistent to the point that the Russians had to at one point of the war replace them with Migs.

So no, they've proven to be combat capable, not combat proven.

Rafales on May 7th were employed in a retarded fashion. They were sent into a hornets nest of PL-15 toting fighters and AWACS. Still it does not seem more than one got shot down whereas they lost at least 3 other types on the same night.

We already know at least 2 Rafales got shot down, as per the French and the Americans. Pakistan claims up to 3.

The problem with 'combat-proven' metric is that no real fight is ever a fair one.

Fair doesn't matter, performance does. In fact, how fighters perform in unfair hostile environments is a big factor when it comes to "combat proven".

 

[Expert]

If Pakistan obtains the J-35 ahead of schedule, India will quickly purchase the Su-57&F-35 instead of continuing to wait for AMCA. Do you want your opponent to be Su-57&F-35, or AMCA?

Moreover, the regional arms race will rapidly escalate, and considering the power gap between the two countries, the arms race is not favorable for Pakistan.

Of course, if a conflict breaks out, India will suffer significant losses. But India is a populist country, and after suffering significant losses in the air force, the Indian government will inevitably use large-scale ground attacks to appease public opinion. This is not good news for Pakistan. Now Pakistan needs a peace window to develop its economy and improve domestic security and stability.

Pakistan has been a victim of terrorism for atleast 5 decades now. Including indian backed Bangladesh separation. And ongoing terrorism in every part of Pakistan. It's very much publically declared indian policy now. It's naked aggression from indian side . There isn't going to be any peace in Pakistan unless India is put in its rightful place. And India won't let it's leverage go away to use terrorism as a tool to undermine Pakistan economic development easily.

 

[Deino]

Obviously, your "INT'L MOD" status is invalid in this thread...

No, and I'm prefectly fine with it that I can only moderate in the PLA section!

By the way, finally one with a clear mind:

P

Post in thread 'Chinese PLAAF News'

Apr 27, 2026

Like everyone else

I can only offer an assessment based on publicly available news, expert commentary, and official statements. What I can say with confidence is that Pakistan is not getting six J‑35A aircraft by August 14, 2026.
As I’ve already explained, the J‑35A is not expected to be export‑ready anytime soon. Under normal circumstances, the earliest realistic window is between 2029-2030, unless the strategic situation in South Asia changes dramatically.

• Pakistanithinktank

• 

Thanks @Pakistanithinktank

 

[Ibbi32]

@Deino has j-35A reached IOC yet!

 

[Deino]

@Deino has j-35A reached IOC yet!

IMO highly unlikely. So far only for LRIP J-35A are known in PLAAF service and even if I expect more to be delivered already (@Michael knows surely more) I cannot think they already reached IOC yet. However it depends on what the PLAAF refers to as IOC.

 

[Aamir Hussain]

The only likelihood of any large purchases in near future depends upon our defence pact with KSA and Qatar (Not yet signed) and its terms.

As off now we don't have money to go for large acquisitions. more so in light of upgrade or AAW Systems.

 

[HH-9A]

J35a will only be massively produced when its designated powerplant - WS19 turbofan is ready for massive production. WS19 is expected to start series production stage this year. So probably by year end, trunk produced full state j35a will be in numbers even suitable for export.