J-31 to be inducted soon| Pilot training reportedly in progress

[Harbyharb]

When air chief earlier said that ground work had started to induct j31, what do you think he meant?

That they are repainting the shelters!?

"Groundwork" is a very often-used vague term for officials to not actually answer a question. Yes, painting "for J-31" on the shelters would count as groundwork. Things as rudimentary as an initial Expression of Interest (EOI), drafting the first contract, viability discussion, and lifetime cost calculation, all count as "groundwork".

Instead of trying to guess the progress of a transaction that involves billions of dollars and could shift strategic balance for decades, it's more productive to think about what purpose J-31s would serve, and in what circumstance would PAF need them.

Because let's face it, the transaction over J-31 would not be commercially transactional, it's more than likely China would offer the J-31 with next-to-no-interest loans and even in the best-case scenario they would just cover their own cost with minimal profit. How does PAF having J-31s benefit China & other potential sponsors such as Gulf countries?

Once you have an idea of what the answer would be, when and in what circumstance would J-31 arrive in Pakistan should become clear.

 

[Deino]

Well
Retweeted by pak defence minister

For pure entertainment and propaganda purposes to feed its own uniformed audience

 

[Deino]

When air chief earlier said that ground work had started to induct j31, what do you think he meant?

That they are repainting the shelters!?

No, but does that mean in 2026 they will be delivered?

 

[maverick]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1796908604492001741

Based on what i am tracking from my sources, it aligns with it. i learned about Dec2026 earlier this year.

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

Based on what i am tracking from my sources, it aligns with it. i learned about Dec2026 earlier this year.

These BASELESS X are junk and unreliable until I will hear from this from MoD and PAF, don't believe in these bullshit Xs lol

 

[maverick]

These BASELESS X are junk and unreliable until I will hear from this from MoD and PAF, don't believe in these bullshit Xs lol

yes official word is going to be important, even anyone within PAF can claim its coming at blah blah date

 

[MasterChief]

Is the source legit?
To me it seems just a cheap way to get likes.

The source of this source may be this thread we are posting in.

 

[MastanKhan]

When air chief earlier said that ground work had started to induct j31, what do you think he meant?

That they are repainting the shelters!?

Hi,

It would be more about training of pilots and technical staff---.

Shelters would be the last part---.

 

[Deino]

When air chief earlier said that ground work had started to induct j31, what do you think he meant?

That they are repainting the shelters!?

But in return, does this mean in 2026 the first ones will be delivered? Surely NOT!

 

[Deino]

The source of this source may be this thread we are posting in.

I'm 100% sure one of the guys who originally posted this nonsense of 2026, posted the same on twitter and in the end another fan-boy posted the same tweet as proof here! So a lie spread on one sides is "proven" by another lie on another site and cross-posting is then rated as a double-check!

 

[Oscar]

I'm 100% sure one of the guys who originally posted this nonsense of 2026, posted the same on twitter and in the end another fan-boy posted the same tweet as proof here! So a lie spread on one sides is "proven" by another lie on another site and cross-posting is then rated as a double-check!

Very normal situation with any rumor.
However the 2026 situation is rather unusual - lets assume the newly spotted prototype is perhaps loaded with the avionics already expected to be on the production aircraft.

In that case assuming a lot of the aerodynamics are similar to the J-35 then you could potentially speed up testing and evaluation to have PAF pilots undertaking training flights in Dec 2026 in parallel to ongoing R&D as was done in the case of JF-17. Although in that case there was a fairly large PAF contingent present both providing requirements and in some cases being assigned under Mr Yang’s various teams

 

[Yasser76]

If the past is anything to go by, the first news we will hear about PAF J-31s is when they actually land at a Pakistani airbase to be greeted by senior leadership.

When that happens, 2026 or 2030 is anyone's guess really, none of us can be sure. We do know that China can work incredibly fast, that PAF projects with regards to fighter inductions are always kept under wraps, no years of "negotiations", "Cabinet clearances", "approvals" etc like who know who.

As someone pointed out, why would China, possibly at a big cost to itself, equip PAF with such a strategic game changing system? Well the benefits are many.

1) A stealth fighter will be a MAJOR headache for IAF. Especially if AMCA is 20 years away from service and F-35 is no go for India. PAF May be able to strike Indian targets with almost impunity.
2) Pakistan takes it's fighter purchases incredibly seriously. J-31 in PAF service sends a signal that China can and will export Stealth. This message will not be lost of the host of muslim countries denied F-35.
3) A PAF support infrastructure across various bases for J-10s and J-31s suits China just fine.
4) Effectively puts an end to any enduring relationship between the Pakistan Military and the US. By 2035, bar a few F-16s that are new, it is very likely no major US weapon system will be in Pakistani service. Again, this suits China just fine.

 

[Falcon26]

I'm 100% sure one of the guys who originally posted this nonsense of 2026, posted the same on twitter and in the end another fan-boy posted the same tweet as proof here! So a lie spread on one sides is "proven" by another lie on another site and cross-posting is then rated as a double-check!

It’s a vicious fake news loop.

 

[Pakistan Space Agency]

Ah, so this table is a summary made by you? ... nicely done and maybe - hopefully - it could indeed explain some misunderstandings!

This is what I rate wrong in your chart:

View attachment 39400

Here is mine ...

Corrected (based on what credible & reliable rumours say)

FC-31 technical demonstrator (most often erroneously also called J-31 Gyrfalcon)

Built​	Type​	Serial​	Test Model​	First Taxi​	First Flight​
01​	Demonstrator	31001​	Flight​	??/09/2012​	31/10/2012​
02​	Demonstrator	?​	Static​	-​	-​
03​	Demonstrator	31003​	Flight​	18/12/2016​	23/12/2016​
-​	Demonstrator 01 with uprated WS-21 engines	31001​	Flight​	?​	01/07/2016​

J-31 Gyrfalcon

Built​	Type​	Serial​	Test Model​	First Taxi​	First Flight​
none​		​	​	​

J-35

Built​	Type​	Serial​	Test Model​	First Taxi​	First Flight​
01​	Prototype	350001​	Flight​	?​	29/10/2021​
02​	Prototype	?​	Static (?)​	-​	-​
03​	Prototype	350003 / 3503​	Flight​	??/07/2022​	??/07/2022​
04​	Prototype	Most likely not allocated​	-​	-​	-​
05​	Prototype	3505​	Flight​	July/August 2023​	26/09/2023 (?)​
06​	Prototype	3506 (?) rumoured but unconfirmed​	Flight​	​	​

With the recent redevelopment, let's update the table.

Shenyang FC-31 Demonstrator

Built​	Type​	Serial​	Test Model​	First Taxi​	First Flight​
01​	Demonstrator	31001​	Flight​	??/09/2012​	31/10/2012
-​	Demonstrator (WS-21 Engine)	31001​	Flight​	-​	01/07/2016
02​	Demonstrator	?​	Static​	N/A​	N/A​
03​	Demonstrator	31003​	Flight​	18/12/2016​	23/12/2016​

J-31 Gyrfalcons

01​

Prototype

?​

Flight​

?​

??/??/2024

J-35

Built​	Type​	Serial​	Test Model​	First Taxi​	First Flight​
01​	Prototype	350001​	Flight​	?​	29/10/2021​
02​	Prototype	?​	Static (?)​	-​	-​
03​	Prototype	350003 / 3503​	Flight​	??/07/2022​	??/07/2022​
04​	Prototype	Most likely not allocated​	-​	-​	-​
05​	Prototype	3505​	Flight​	July/August 2023​	26/09/2023 (?)​
06​	Prototype	3506 (?) rumoured but unconfirmed​	Flight​	​	​

 

[silicon0000]

If the past is anything to go by, the first news we will hear about PAF J-31s is when they actually land at a Pakistani airbase to be greeted by senior leadership.

When that happens, 2026 or 2030 is anyone's guess really, none of us can be sure. We do know that China can work incredibly fast, that PAF projects with regards to fighter inductions are always kept under wraps, no years of "negotiations", "Cabinet clearances", "approvals" etc like who know who.

As someone pointed out, why would China, possibly at a big cost to itself, equip PAF with such a strategic game changing system? Well the benefits are many.

1) A stealth fighter will be a MAJOR headache for IAF. Especially if AMCA is 20 years away from service and F-35 is no go for India. PAF May be able to strike Indian targets with almost impunity.
2) Pakistan takes it's fighter purchases incredibly seriously. J-31 in PAF service sends a signal that China can and will export Stealth. This message will not be lost of the host of muslim countries denied F-35.
3) A PAF support infrastructure across various bases for J-10s and J-31s suits China just fine.
4) Effectively puts an end to any enduring relationship between the Pakistan Military and the US. By 2035, bar a few F-16s that are new, it is very likely no major US weapon system will be in Pakistani service. Again, this suits China just fine.

I completely agree with your points, but 2nd point can be elaborate more. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) serves as a valuable marketing tool for China's export-oriented fighter jets. By regularly conducting exercises with some wealthy Muslim nations, the PAF showcases the capabilities of these platforms, making them attractive options for potential buyers, especially those denied access to the F-35.