PAF J-35AE - News, Updates and Discussions

[Michael]

WS-21 9.5tons
WS-19 10tons

View attachment 195678
View attachment 195675

I cannot say that this data is incorrect. It is simply that the actual data differs significantly from it.
This is a necessary measure taken for reasons of confidentiality.

That chart seems a bit out of date. Latest information shows max thrust of WS-19 engine is 25000ibs. See the uploaded information released by Avic/Catic during Singapore Airshow 2026, and data of WS19 appeared in the academic papers .

These are not official figures from AECC. They are promotional materials compiled by local media, citing data sourced from the internet.
As for the data presented in the paper, it has undergone technical processing and does not represent actual figures.

 

[IceCold]

This is foolish.

You really think Pakistan would come out unscathed?

If Pakistan hits their nuclear facilities, they'll hit Pakistan's nuclear facilities.

It would be all out war, and you cannot win a war with just air power, Iran just showed you that.

Also, Pakistan would need at least 150 to 200 J-35s to tackle India's entire fleet of fighters at a bare minimum, and thats going to take years to achieve. In the mean time, India would leverage its much larger fleet, and using attrition and diversion tactics, using some fighters as sacrifices, while they launch actual attacks elsewhere.

Fanboyism and reality don't mix.

India will attack you one way or the other, you can bet on that and while they can afford to pick a place and time of their choosing, we can't because we do not have the luxury for the very reasons you mention. India this time will escalate and try to hit or even take out our nuclear installations. After seeing what Israel has done with Iran, they are fully committed to replicate that with Pakistan which is why they are investing so heavily in defensive shields.
So one way or the other war is coming and it's entirely up to Pakistan either to wait and let the enemy have the initiative or take the initiative for once when we get the upper hand even if for a brief moment.

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

Also, Pakistan would need at least 150 to 200 J-35s to tackle India's entire fleet of fighters at a bare minimum, and thats going to take years to achieve. In the mean time, India would leverage its much larger fleet, and using attrition and diversion tactics, using some fighters as sacrifices, while they launch actual attacks elsewhere.

No, Sir we don't need 150-200 J-35s this is too much, the operating/maintenance/logistic costs of any 5th gen jets are 3 to 4 times of any 4th/4.5th gen jets, are we have $$$ to operate/maintain 150-200 5th gen jets with current economic situation of the country, Inn my point of view 40-80 J-35s will be fine along with upcoming PFX/ more J-10C ad more block-3 JF-17, look Sir J-35s will be tip of the spear for Pakistan and Tip of the spear always in lesser numbers compare to workhorse, for example F-15/F-16 combo, Su-27/Mig-29 combo, F-22/F-35 combo

So I think having a 150-200 J-35s will be the burden on PAF/Pakistan in current economic situation of the country

 

[sutton9999]

This image is provided by the chief designers of WS-19 and WS-21 during their presentations, and thus has the highest level of authority.

no, ws19 is 118kn

 

[LX1111]

 

[LX1111]

I cannot say that this data is incorrect. It is simply that the actual data differs significantly from it.
This is a necessary measure taken for reasons of confidentiality.

These are not official figures from AECC. They are promotional materials compiled by local media, citing data sourced from the internet.
As for the data presented in the paper, it has undergone technical processing and does not represent actual figures.

I still tend to believe the information from Yankee. He said that the thrust of WS-19 is only slightly less than that of AL31, at least above 110kN.

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

View attachment 195774

Why its so contusing, previous post on previous page by your countryman quoted WS-19 has a thrust 120+KN and WS-21 has a thrust of greater than 95 KN, So which one is actually near to actual specification? this one or Earlier post by your countryman?

I Think these specifications are merely just a speculations and rumors

 

[LX1111]

This image is provided by the chief designers of WS-19 and WS-21 during their presentations, and thus has the highest level of authority.

This chart has obvious errors. The thrust of the EJ200 engine should be around 90KN, while the thrust of the F414 engine should be around 98KN. However, on this table, the thrust values for these two engines are the same.

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

I still tend to believe the information from Yankee. He said that the thrust of WS-19 is only slightly less than that of AL31, at least above 110kN.

WS-19 is medium thrust class engine like GE-F414/RD-33MK, whereas AL-31F is a high thrust class engine like GE-F110 and P&W F-100/WS-10, so don't compare medium thrust class engine with high thrust class engine

 

[LX1111]

Why its so contusing, previous post on previous page by your countryman quoted WS-19 has a thrust 120+KN and WS-21 has a thrust of greater than 95 KN, So which one is actually near to actual specification? this one or Earlier post by your countryman?

I Think these specifications are merely just a speculations and rumors

At present, all the information points to the thrust of WS19 being above 110KN. However, the exact value is not clear as each piece of information varies.

 

[LX1111]

WS-19 is medium thrust class engine like GE-F414/RD-33MK, whereas AL-31F is a high thrust class engine like GE-F110 and P&W F-100/WS-10, so don't compare medium thrust class engine with high thrust class engine

WS-19 is medium thrust class engine like GE-F414/RD-33MK, whereas AL-31F is a high thrust class engine like GE-F110 and P&W F-100/WS-10, so don't compare medium thrust class engine with high thrust class engine

The F414-EPE and EJ230 engines can both increase their thrust by approximately 20%, reaching levels of 120KN and 102KN respectively. According to the current information, the WS-19 is also expected to achieve similar levels. That is to say, with the completion of the research and development of the WS-15, the research and development difficulty of the WS-19 has been significantly reduced.

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

The F414-EPE and EJ230 engines can both increase their thrust by approximately 20%, reaching levels of 120KN and 102KN respectively. According to the current information, the WS-19 is also expected to achieve similar levels. That is to say, with the completion of the research and development of the WS-15, the research and development difficulty of the WS-19 has been significantly reduced.

Do these engines you referred has been fitted to any jets? I mean on Typhoon trenche 4 or F/A 18 E/F?, these engines is merely research with no use, both I mean USA and UK are developing high thrust class engines for their upcoming 6th gen jets like US developing Adaptive cycle engine (Variable cycle engine) for NGAD and UK is designing more conventional engine for their GCAP (Global combat aircraft programe)

 

[Michael]

At present, all the information points to the thrust of WS19 being above 110KN. However, the exact value is not clear as each piece of information varies.

Those who know the actual figures dare not speak; those who do not are free to make wild guesses.
Dwelling on this issue serves no practical purpose.

=============================================

BTW.

After careful scrutiny, it can now be essentially confirmed that:

The export-variant J-35 aircraft recently brought to light is not a newly manufactured airframe. Rather, it is the result of a modification applied to an early experimental prototype of the J-35A.

As early as the eve of the PLAAF's 75th anniversary, the J-35A aircraft showcased by the PLAAF actually consisted of two distinct airframes. One was powered by the WS-21 engine, while the other utilized the WS-19 engine. Naturally, beyond the difference in engines, there were also several very subtle structural distinctions between the two airframes.

According to internal conventions within the defense industrial complex, only the J-35 fighter equipped with the WS-19 engine is officially designated as the J-35A. However, at that time, SAC (Shenyang Aircraft Corporation) did not possess a sufficient number of genuine J-35A units available for public display. Consequently, this early experimental prototype—the J-35A (WS-21)—was temporarily loaned to the PLAAF to serve in display events, training exercises, and subsequent military parades.

In reality, however, the PLAAF never placed an order for the WS-21 engine. Therefore, as the production volume of the genuine J-35A (WS-19) gradually increased, this specific J-35A (WS-21) airframe was returned to SAC. SAC subsequently refurbished and modified the aircraft; by removing the PLAAF insignia and repainting it with the AVIC logo, it was transformed into the very J-35 fighter currently being presented for export purposes.

Upon close examination, numerous specific details can be discerned that substantiate this account.

 

[niubi]

Pakistan always waits for Indians to attack first and this time when India attacks
they will launch a bigger attack. I hope these J35's are spread out and hidden.

PAF had the upper hand in 2019 and 2025 but stopped at 2 or 6 jets. The day
India gets the upper hand they will not stop, it will be a disaster like 1971.

Correct. India does not show mercy or restraint when they have the upper hand while Pakistan shows mercy and restraint when Pakistan has the upper hand. This is because both sides understand that India has escalation dominance. The more any skirmish escalates to war and escalates to drawn out war, India wins because it is 7-10 times the size and has 7-10 times the wealth (probably more than that).

Pakistan's entire core defence doctrine is in creating enough deterrence along every stage of escalation and up to nuclear exchange. Deterrence but definitely not dominance. Pakistan can only hurt India a fraction of how much India can hurt Pakistan and India simply has more resources from men to material.

J-35AE would represent an additional tool in Pakistan's ability to deter India. Hopefully the OPSEC is concrete and this fighter becomes an exceptionally useful and capable tool in PAF hands. If India ever wages war or initiates skirmishes against Pakistan, may PAF J-35s shoot down all IAF assets and hit India ground forces and assets deep within Indian lines. Those new stealth cruise missiles designed to fit into J-35 would be useful. Not to mention, able to sink IN ships.

Pakistan just fears escalation and chooses de-escalation every time it has the upper hand. PAF showed so much restraint when they could have shot many more Rafales. Now IAF is going away licking its wounds and learning. PAF gave them a relatively inexpensive lesson in underestimating Pakistan and the Chinese J-10CE and PL-15E.

 

[niubi]

Also you do not need over 100 J-35AE to equal the entire IAF's fighter force. Only a few dozen J-35AE can negate IAF provided you manage to keep those J-35AE supplied and protected which is impossible in a war. India does not lack drones, missiles and artillery to basically destroy most Pakistani airbases.

This makes heavy investment into PAF assets a questionable strategy since most airfields and supply chains would be attacked and kept out of action by India in any drawn out war.

The only way for Pakistan to present fool proof deterrence is in the ability to hit India equally hard. For that Pakistan would need tens of thousands of long range drones. This is surprisingly the only area China has not visibly assisted Pakistan in and I suspect it is because China does not want to piss India off too much unnecessarily since China has such a crazy trade surplus against India.