PAF Future Acquisition Plans

[Pakistanithinktank]

Bit weird, why PAF is getting 2 stealth platforms one is proven Chinese j35 the other is Turkish KAAN? Am I missing something here?

One is medium weight and other is heavy weight for deep strike.
J-35AE will most likely arrive around 2030 while KAAN most likely inducted between 2035-2038.

 

[Michael]

This is my assessment and it all depends on economy, available funds, and any conflict between India and Pakistan and middle east situation. Some of you may not agree with it, let discuss it.

PHASE 1 — 2025–2030 (Foundation + Early Stealth + UCAV Expansion)​

Manned Fleet​

• F-16 active: 18-20 F‑16A/B MLU (Block 15) & 18 F‑16C/D Block 52+
• JF‑17 active: 120–130
• JF‑17 Block 4 upgrades: 20–30
• J‑10C/D: 36–48
• J‑35AE: 6–12 (Depend on urgency)
• KAAN: industrial participation only
• PFX Core: design freeze + wind tunnel

UCAV FLEET​

• Akinci: 6–8
• TB‑2: 12–18
• Wing Loong II: 6–8
• Shahpar‑II: 20–24
• Shahpar‑III: 4–6 (LRIP)
• FH‑97A: 2–4 (testing only)
• Swarm drones: 300-600 drone swarms (2026-2030)

WHAT PHASE‑1 ACHIEVES​

• First stealth capability (J‑35AE)
• J‑10C becomes the backbone
• UCAV mass for ISR + strike
• Loyal wingman doctrine begins
• PFX Core moves from concept → engineering
• PAF builds AI‑enabled C2 networks

​

PHASE 2 — 2030 to 2035​

“Transition to 5th‑Gen + Loyal Wingmen + Indigenous UCAVs”​

MANNED FLEET​

• F-16 active: 36-38
• J‑10C/D: 60+
• JF‑17 Block‑4: 40–60 upgraded
• J‑35AE: 18–24
• KAAN: first squadron 2035–2038
• PFX Core: prototype + LRIP

UCAV FLEET​

• FH‑97A: 8–12 (operational)
• Kızılelma: 6–12
• Anka‑3: 4–6
• GJ‑11: 2–4
• Akinci: 12–18
• TB‑3: 12–18
• Shahpar‑III: 12–18
• Swarm drones: 600-2000 drone swarms

WHAT PHASE‑2 ACHIEVES​

• Loyal wingmen paired with J‑10C + J‑35AE
• First stealth UCAVs (Anka‑3, GJ‑11)
• PFX Core enters flight testing
• KAAN enters PAF service
• UCAVs take over ISR + targeting for 5th‑gen fighters

PHASE 3 — 2035 to 2045​

“Full 5th‑Gen Era + UCAV Swarm Integration”​

MANNED FLEET​

• F-16 active: 20-30 (older F-16 will be decommissioned)
• KAAN: 24–36
• PFX Core: 24–36
• J‑10C+ /D+: 60–72
• J‑35AE: 18–24
• JF‑17: 90–110 (Block‑4 dominant)

UCAV FLEET​

• FH‑97B/C: 20–30
• Kızılelma Block‑2: 12–18
• Anka‑3 Block‑2: 6–12
• GJ‑11: 6–12
• Akinci: 18–24
• TB‑3: 24–36
• Shahpar‑III: 24–30
• Swarm drones: 1200–5000

WHAT PHASE‑3 ACHIEVES​

• Full manned–unmanned teaming
• KAAN + PFX Core operate with loyal wingmen
• Deep‑strike autonomy via GJ‑11 + Anka‑3
• UCAV swarms saturate Indian air defenses
• J‑10C+ becomes the mass fighter under 5th‑gen umbrella

Your dream is very ambitious!

But......

You should conduct a comprehensive economic analysis of all aspects of your plan. You can see how much money will be needed in total.

Then, you should conduct a projected analysis of Pakistan's economic development.

Finally, you should compare the two sets of data. Let's see how big the differences are between them.

 

[rafale]

Your dream is very ambitious!

But......

You should conduct a comprehensive economic analysis of all aspects of your plan. You can see how much money will be needed in total.

Then, you should conduct a projected analysis of Pakistan's economic development.

Finally, you should compare the two sets of data. Let's see how big the differences are between them.

Any updates from the recent Pakistani prime minister trip to China and meetings with President Xi?

 

[Pakistanithinktank]

Your dream is very ambitious!

But......

You should conduct a comprehensive economic analysis of all aspects of your plan. You can see how much money will be needed in total.

Then, you should conduct a projected analysis of Pakistan's economic development.

Finally, you should compare the two sets of data. Let's see how big the differences are between them.

As far as my assessment goes and I’ve said this clearly before, most, if not all, of Pakistan’s current trajectory depends on multiple factors.

Pakistan’s military establishment presides over a vast shadow economy, taking its share from smuggling routes, narcotics corridors, oil and water‑tanker mafias, land‑grabbing networks, and an endless conveyor belt of fake housing schemes that loot the public. Add to this a state reliant on Saudi Arabia and other ME states for extended arms support and on China for high‑interest loans, and the picture becomes brutally simple: this is the true ceiling of Pakistan’s affordability.

 

[Michael]

Any updates from the recent Pakistani prime minister trip to China and meetings with President Xi?

The official document has been released and you can consult it. Aside from that, there is no other new information.

You can conduct your own in-depth analysis based on the official document.

As far as my assessment goes and I’ve said this clearly before, most, if not all, of Pakistan’s current trajectory depends on multiple factors.

Using Chinese philosophy to analyze this, this is precisely the fundamental reason why Pakistan has difficulty developing: too many choices!

Pakistan’s military establishment presides over a vast shadow economy, taking its share from smuggling routes, narcotics corridors, oil and water‑tanker mafias, land‑grabbing networks, and an endless conveyor belt of fake housing schemes that loot the public. Add to this a state reliant on Saudi Arabia and other ME states for extended arms support and on China for high‑interest loans, and the picture becomes brutally simple: this is the true ceiling of Pakistan’s affordability.

The dark economy can't support this scale!

 

[KingQamaR]

KAAN is a wish - J-35 could be a reality very soon

On KAAN sales ? What about the engine ? If the US cut the engine could this plane fly ?

 

[Samurai]

Your dream is very ambitious!

But......

You should conduct a comprehensive economic analysis of all aspects of your plan. You can see how much money will be needed in total.

Then, you should conduct a projected analysis of Pakistan's economic development.

Finally, you should compare the two sets of data. Let's see how big the differences are between them.

He has done this analysis through Chatgpt. Of course Chatgpt just gives the answers without factoring in critical point like economics as you said. That is just a wish list of things and if that ever happens which is highly unlikely then PAF would be stronger.

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

On KAAN sales ? What about the engine ? If the US cut the engine could this plane fly ?

Turkey is developing indigenous engine for KAAN (TF-35000) and will be ready in 2030-2032 time frame according to various Turkish sources

 

[KingQamaR]

Turkey is developing indigenous engine for KAAN (TF-35000) and will be ready in 2030-2032 time frame according to various Turkish sources

I share your optimism about a Turkey’s home-grown engine by 2032? No, Turkey cant manufacture modern turbofan according to experts. Modern turbofan like F110 is a different beast . Turkey is no way to manufacture it.

 

[Pioneer]

I share your optimism about a Turkey’s home-grown engine by 2032? No, Turkey cant manufacture modern turbofan according to experts. Modern turbofan like F110 is a different beast . Turkey is no way to manufacture it.

It's okay. After Pakistan acquires the J-35 in 2030, Turkey will acquire the engine technology in 2035.

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

I share your optimism about a Turkey’s home-grown engine by 2032? No, Turkey cant manufacture modern turbofan according to experts. Modern turbofan like F110 is a different beast . Turkey is no way to manufacture it.

With foreign help they can do it ( from UK or Ukraine ((original designer/developer/manufacturer of AL-31F))) but by 2032 I also have doubts in my mind but Turkish members are insisting that by 2032 TF-35000 is ready

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

It's okay. After Pakistan acquires the J-35 in 2030, Turkey will acquire the engine technology in 2035.

from where can you explain it? no country will give you their ultra -sensitive engine tech to you, If you means acquiring by research and development, in that case it will take lot of time and resources that you don't have, look dude Turbofan development field is one of most difficult/complex field on earth, only few countries have capability to manufacturing them 100%

Look dude with much stronger industrial/scientific base and much better resources than you China heavily invested in its engine developing industries (20 billion $$$) China took 15 year to Start to finish their first engine named WS-10


So I highly doubt that with a limited industrial/scientific/technical base and limited resources your home grown engine will be ready either in 2032 or in 2035 time-frame but in my best guesstimate it will be ready in238-2040 or after 2040 time-frame

 

[KingQamaR]

With foreign help they can do it ( from UK or Ukraine ((original designer/developer/manufacturer of AL-31F))) but by 2032 I also have doubts in my mind but Turkish members are insisting that by 2032 TF-35000 is ready

Rolls Royce denied technology transfer or help to Turkey. Would China sell engine technology to Turkey?

 

[KingQamaR]

It's okay. After Pakistan acquires the J-35 in 2030, Turkey will acquire the engine technology in 2035.

I don’t know how o from whom?

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

Rolls Royce denied technology transfer or help to Turkey. Would China sell engine technology to Turkey?

No, Not it all (NATO member) but I think Ukraine is more save option than China