PAF J-35AE - News, Updates and Discussions

[MH.Yang]

Yeah, that is what I suspect, looks like PAF may have even stopped all 4.5th Gen (JF-17C/J-10C) purchases just to go after the J-35. May also explain a lack of procurement in general within the PAF too. No C-130 replacement, no new LIFT, no new basic trainer to replace T-37, no additional or new refuelling tankers even though we have more fighters with in flight refuelling capability.

There is either $0 in the pot or something is up.

From a financial perspective, we are currently in a period of high global interest rates—a phenomenon that has been extremely rare over the past few decades. It is inappropriate for Pakistan to purchase the J-35 during this period when financing is so expensive.

As far as I understand, domestic interest rates in Pakistan have already reached double digits; if Pakistan were to pay in its local currency, it would shoulder a heavy debt burden.

Even if it were to use international commercial loans, the interest rates would still be very high. For example, Poland purchased three A26 submarines from Sweden at an interest rate as high as 4.5%, and since Pakistan’s standing with the IMF is weaker than Poland’s, the interest rate for Pakistan would only be higher. The interest rate obtained by Pakistan should be 6.5~7.5%.

Of course, Pakistan could obtain a loan from the Export-Import Bank of China through the Chinese government. However, given current market conditions, even if the Chinese government were to exert pressure, it is unlikely that the Export-Import Bank of China would agree to a 4.15% interest rate again.

 

[Yasser76]

From a financial perspective, we are currently in a period of high global interest rates—a phenomenon that has been extremely rare over the past few decades. It is inappropriate for Pakistan to purchase the J-35 during this period when financing is so expensive.

As far as I understand, domestic interest rates in Pakistan have already reached double digits; if Pakistan were to pay in its local currency, it would shoulder a heavy debt burden.

Even if it were to use international commercial loans, the interest rates would still be very high. For example, Poland purchased three A26 submarines from Sweden at an interest rate as high as 4.5%, and since Pakistan’s standing with the IMF is weaker than Poland’s, the interest rate for Pakistan would only be higher. The interest rate obtained by Pakistan should be 6.5~7.5%.

Of course, Pakistan could obtain a loan from the Export-Import Bank of China through the Chinese government. However, given current market conditions, even if the Chinese government were to exert pressure, it is unlikely that the Export-Import Bank of China would agree to a 4.15% interest rate again.

Yeah, the only way I see this happening is via Saudi money

 

[Ali_Baba]

Yeah, the only way I see this happening is via Saudi money

I was thinking Saudi would do it in the context of creating an expeditionary force for the Makkah Self defense alliance. It is literally the only way the alliance can get a stealth fighter into its ranks "quickly" to have a quick counter to Israel's F-35s as F-35s for Turkiye are there yet, and Saudi have only recently signed on for their F-35s.

The Saudi's recently took on a loan for $8billion, so they are having to manage their economy because of the Iran war, and restrictions on oil sales right, so I am not sure esp given the loan Saudi already gave, to return the billions that UAE demanded back.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-31/saudis-explore-about-8-billion-in-loans-as-war-strains-finances

Pakistan's credit levels are stretch right now, it seems.

 

[RealNapster]

How do you know 10 crossed into Pak airspace? I don't recall anyone from the PAF stating that. As far as I know they all launched SOWs from withing their own airspace.

I guess you didnt see the "maybe" before that . ? That wasnt a claim, that was an assumption.

But out of those 72 maybe 10 crossed Pakistani border.

@Salza I hope this satisfies your curiosity.

 

[RealNapster]

No, not claiming anything really, maybe just that the battle was more one sided then we thought or that we could have shot down more, but could well be wrong, my point is either PAF has become very complacent (which it never has done in the past) or that something is up and we may see inductions soon

I would be the devils advocate and say that maybe PAF lost its bearing.

Before you point it out, let me say I agree, too strong of a reaction. But in a sea full of all these possibilities.....

 

[Yasser76]

I would be the devils advocate, more like a glass half empty type of guy, and say that maybe PAF lost its bearing.

Before you point it out, let me say I agree, too strong of a reaction. But in the sea of all these possibilities.....

Yeah, that may just be your opinion, unsure how an Air Force as potent and professional as the PAF suddenly "loses it's bearings", but maybe some complacency and they know things about IAF we dont? Either way, I think very soon we will find out. If by end of the year we have no new inductions I will start worrying. Right now the PAF is, righfully so, highly regarded after May 7th and sending it's pilots and planes to defend others, be that Iranian President in air escort or Saudi bases.

 

[Yasser76]

I was thinking Saudi would do it in the context of creating an expeditionary force for the Makkah Self defense alliance. It is literally the only way the alliance can get a stealth fighter into its ranks "quickly" to have a quick counter to Israel's F-35s as F-35s for Turkiye are there yet, and Saudi have only recently signed on for their F-35s.

The Saudi's recently took on a loan for $8billion, so they are having to manage their economy because of the Iran war, and restrictions on oil sales right, so I am not sure esp given the loan Saudi already gave, to return the billions that UAE demanded back.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-31/saudis-explore-about-8-billion-in-loans-as-war-strains-finances

Pakistan's credit levels are stretch right now, it seems.

Yeah, lets see what the future holds, right now we are lucky, enemy has 28 Rafales that they will carefully husband now, rest of their fleet we can comfortably manage.

 

[RealNapster]

Yeah, that may just be your opinion, unsure how an Air Force as potent and professional as the PAF suddenly "loses it's bearings", but maybe some complacency and they know things about IAF we dont? Either way, I think very soon we will find out. If by end of the year we have no new inductions I will start worrying. Right now the PAF is, righfully so, highly regarded after May 7th and sending it's pilots and planes to defend others, be that Iranian President in air escort or Saudi bases.

Nevertheless, PAF is good with out any new platform for atleast till 2028 end. If it wants to keep adding new J10C or JF17B3, then good. But even if it doesn't. Will still keep standing on its feet. But things will start changing really fast after 2028. India is also testing a new locally made aesa for its SU-30MKI. That is 230 4th generation fighter jets expected to start getting aesa radars in or after 2028 end.

 

[Ali_Baba]

If it wants to keep adding new J10C or JF17B3, then good.

If Pakistan has any money for J10CE or JF17B3, it would be better off spending that on the J-35AE given the advantages stealth provides over a non-stealth platform.

 

[Yasser76]

Nevertheless, PAF is good with out any new platform for atleast till 2028 end. If it wants to keep adding new J10C or JF17B3, then good. But even if it doesn't. Will still keep standing on its feet. But things will start changing really fast after 2028. India is also testing a new locally made aesa for its SU-30MKI. That is 230 4th generation fighter jets expected to start getting aesa radars in or after 2028 end.

Nope, wrong. Even Indian timelines are 15 years for the SU-30 upgrade and that is a MASSIVE "if"

You are basically assuming India will develop, test and integrate an AESA radar into a foreign fighter in a record time span, when we all know their track record. If HAL claims 10 years, it will be closer to 20.

Also the initial contract is for 84 planes. So you are wrong on timelines and numbers

At best, and if HAL as a complete sea change as a company and works a miracle, there will be 80 odd planes by 2040.

That is a joke, when the world will be 5th/6th Gen by then