The Pakistan Air Force, which was supposed to acquire the fifth-generation J-35 from China, is now going to settle for some used F-16s instead? Isn’t this a kind of betrayal? What sort of weakness or compromise are they making in return?”
Ad discussed before, upgrading our F-16 Block 50s is a smart move to keep our edge sharp and if we get a chance to grab 18 of the newer F-16 variants, that would be a solid boost for the PAF, both in capability and fleet longevity.
There’s still buzz about Iraqi F-16s possibly heading to Pakistan. Nothing’s confirmed yet, but if the deal happens and those jets are in good condition, they could help reinforce the fleet in the short term without needing major integration efforts.
Meanwhile, defense planners are thinking long-term. The JF-17 Block 1s are nearing the end of their useful life, and while the F-16 Block 15s likely have another 5 to 8 years in them, they’re not enough to carry the load against emerging regional threats.
On the fifth-gen front, the J-35 stands out as Pakistan’s most viable option right now. The military’s keeping quiet about exactly when it’ll enter service probably for strategic reasons but it’s clear we’re fully committed. With no shot at the F-35 and Türkiye’s Kaan still in development, the J-35 offers the best route to keeping a competitive edge in the next-gen air domain.
Here’s a plus for our timeline, India still doesn’t have a fifth generation fighter in service. Even if they sign a contract this year, it’ll take at least 3 to 5 years before anything becomes fully operational giving Pakistan a crucial window to get ahead.
In the meantime, Pakistan isn’t standing still. Additional J-10C fighters are expected to join the PAF, offering advanced capabilities like AESA radar and PL-15 BVRAAMs. These will help bridge the gap and strengthen frontline readiness while the fifth-gen transition continues.