PAF J-35AE - News, Updates and Discussions

Waz said:

Chinese J-35 stealth jets set to give Pakistan​

edge over India in fifth-generation tech​

India has a much larger fleet of 4.5-generation fighters but is lagging behind Pakistan​



The J-35A fighter jet appears during a CCTV report on Shenyang Aircraft Corporation on May 1. Photo: CCTV


Published: 11:00am, 8 May 2026Updated: 5:26pm, 8 May 2026

A year after fending off a massive Indian air assault with the help of Chinese warplanes and missiles, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Thursday unveiled plans to upgrade its fleet through further acquisitions of Chengdu J-10C fighters and substantial upgrades to the JF-17s co-produced by the two allies.


The PAF further confirmed that it has signed an “initial collaborative agreement” for the acquisition of fifth-generation Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter, without disclosing any details about the scope of the deal.

Speculation is rife that Pakistan could take delivery of an initial batch of J-35s by the end of this year, following the airing of a video by CCTV last week showing the first fully operational export version of the warplane. As the only overseas customer to date, the PAF is the obvious destination.

According to analysts, the PAF’s induction of Chinese fifth-generation warplanes into service would alter the balance of air power with India, which has a much larger fleet of 4.5-generation fighters bought from France and Russia but is lagging behind Pakistan in the acquisition of stealth warplanes.
The J-35s would also boost the PAF’s ability to project military power into the Persian Gulf. Pakistan last month deployed a squadron of fighters – including JF-17s – to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence pact signed last September.
An export variant of the J-35A fighter jet appears on CCTV’s May 1 special programme. Photo: CCTV

An export variant of the J-35A fighter jet appears on CCTV’s May 1 special programme. Photo: CCTV

At a press conference in Islamabad, PAF deputy chief of air staff Air Vice-Marshal Tariq Ghazi said “foundations have been laid for the acquisition of advanced capabilities” – including long-range precision weapons (LRPW), next-generation platforms, “additional” J-10C aircraft and “much upgraded” JF-17s.


www.scmp.com

Chinese J-35 stealth jets set to give Pakistan a strategic edge over India

India has a much larger fleet of 4.5-generation fighters but is lagging behind Pakistan in the acquisition of stealth warplanes.
www.scmp.com www.scmp.com
Click to expand...
South China Morning Post (SCMP) is not a media outlet that can be trusted, especially when it comes to information about China's military and politics.

As of now, no Chinese official media has reported anything regarding the PAF purchasing J-35 fighter jets. Only some unofficial Chinese media have reported on the matter, but all of them have cited reports from Pakistani media.
 
I strongly believe PAF will be the first to procure the J35.

When I look at other possible countries including the gulfies I find it extremely unlikely any other country can as things stand.

No other country is as familiar with Chinese technology as is Pakistan.

No other country is heavily trained on Chinese aircraft as is Pakistan.

No other country is ready to integrate a new 5th Gen into its architecture to fully utilise its ability. You can argue Pak isn't either but they are on that journey.

So im seriously struggling to see which country can procure this before the PAF will.

The gulfies rely so much on technicians, maintenance crews, trainers, pilot expertise from other countries to keep their air arms up and running. They are not ready for the J35.
 
m52k85 said:
and @Sainthood 2.0, not quite.

At the turn of 2000, IAF had mica on mirages, and Su-30s had come in numbers, by 2004, the deal for new F-16s and the deal for upgrades was done. PAF didnt have any bvr and flew pretty much like IAF flew last year, at arms lenght.

2006: There were strong rumours that the J-10 was coming, but we all knew it only came in 2022. The official narrative was "PAF was not happy with the capability". What it essentially meant was, "now that the F-16s are getting BVR, we will be able to keep IAF in check for the foreseable future". 75 odd F-16s were meant to keep in check near 300 IAF bvr by 2010. Same provided a lack of "compulsion" to take on the J-10 when it was new. However unlike back then we had options instead of chinese (vis-vis F-16s).

So in short, in 2006 deterence was established, compulsion was lacking and options were present. In 2026, deterence is also established in the air-air domain for the foreseeble future, which again means compulsion is absent. However this time we have no other options. Hence the signalling from PAF is absolutely on point: "don't force our hand, and we will not finalise the deal".
Click to expand...
With so many platforms and weapons in BVR league since that time, India was and is clearly a very sorry excuse for an Airforce.

I mean, just look at them on paper and then their performance.........

2019 they sent a freaking Mig 21 towards Pakistani JF17s and F16s. Imagine their delusions of grandeur..........what makes one think that for such a large force, quick tactic changes will happen?

I doubt they will learn in their hatred for pakistan.
 
puttputt said:
I just wish the DCAS Projects threw in a random mention of stealth UCAVs, just to screw with the Indians even more.
Click to expand...
The following "couple flying" of KEs must be already screwing their minds:


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Michael said:
South China Morning Post (SCMP) is not a media outlet that can be trusted, especially when it comes to information about China's military and politics.

As of now, no Chinese official media has reported anything regarding the PAF purchasing J-35 fighter jets. Only some unofficial Chinese media have reported on the matter, but all of them have cited reports from Pakistani media.
Click to expand...
SCMP is Hong Kong based right?
 
Samurai said:
SCMP is Hong Kong based right?
Click to expand...
The SCMP is an anti-China media outlet, and it is indeed based in Hong Kong. But it’s not just Hong Kong; there are anti-China media outlets even in mainland China.

The Chinese government does not prohibit the existence of such media; expressing anti-China views is a form of free speech.
 
MH.Yang said:
The SCMP is an anti-China media outlet, and it is indeed based in Hong Kong. But it’s not just Hong Kong; there are anti-China media outlets even in mainland China.

The Chinese government does not prohibit the existence of such media; expressing anti-China views is a form of free speech.
Click to expand...
I would not jump the gun so easily to say SCMP is anti China, after all, it’s owned by Jack Ma of Alibaba.

But certainly scmp is just another foreign media outlet when reporting Chinese military matters, as they like you& me, source their information from open domains .

I have read that report and would say it’s not accurate. For example, it says J-35AE is powered by WS-13, when every one here should have already known, it’s actually powered by WS21, a significantly improved new engine.
 
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