PAF J-35AE - News, Updates and Discussions

[Michael]

It seems you are implying by using the example of the L-15 that the entirety of what has been provided by China to UAE and proxy forces such as UAVs, weapons for such systems, anti UAV systems, artillery and so on are downgraded systems or “airshow” grade?

Maybe you should pay attention to the context of the statement, rather than interpreting it too one-sidedly.
My statement is in response to this issue.

Interesting that the UaE continues to drive further Chinese technologies and China would promote the aircraft at multiple airshows for clients YET not agree to provide the aircraft even if contractual obligations are met

1. There are many factors involved in the arms trade.

2. The vast majority of English-language international media outlets are not friendly towards China; they analyze China from their own philosophical and value-based perspectives. However, China's concepts and philosophies differ significantly from those of many groups and countries in the English-speaking world.

If you really want to analyze the reasons behind this, you can start by reading the People's Daily.

 

[Paraboi]

Every person touching US equipment in Pakistan is vetted by the embassy and by inference Pentagon.
Including electronic access keycards.

Because their concern is non approved personnel accessing US equipment.

China has its own access control concerns regarding the J-10.

If the UaE can contractually guarantee that no access to US or Israelis is provided (could be putting them on a base where they are not allowed in) then it may satisfy the condition.

Keep in mind the issue isn’t US or Israeli boots on the ground - its Emiratis themselves who could just talk from one place to another.

The question isn’t if China will or wont see the J-35 - they took models to foreign airshows for a reason.

It’s their risk appetite for it -
As an e.g.
many years ago a Pakistani training another Ikhwan was telling them something about US procedures and why they wont work -

The Ikhwan thanked the Pakistani and WITHIN the same day went to the US trainer and told them “Look what the Pakistanis say about you”

Still they need at lest 3 years to make infra for 5th gen capabilities

 

[Paraboi]

View attachment 207820

Buddy it was said by turkish defence minister or some type of secretary

 

[Paraboi]

Also, the first 100 J-10s were not the J-10s Pakistan wanted to see, the first 250 Chinese Flankers were not the pinacle of Flankers China wanted to have, even the first 100 or J-20s were not the J-20 China aimed for. So do not expect Pakistan to get any J-35s until China has inducted 500.

Yeah avic is promoting export variant and china has made a facility for j-35ae to shove it up there asses???

 

[Paraboi]

Pakistan air force representative in the press conference on 10 may 2026 has clearly stated that pakistan is acquiring more j-10s and a next generation platform idk what u people dont understand

 

[Paraboi]

Pakistan air chief said in 2024 that foundation has been laid for accusations of j-31 then in june 2025 gov official x acc said that china has offered 40 j-35 to Pakistan almost every poster of PAF future programs has j-31 in it PAF representative has said that pakistan gonna procure a next gen platfrom but some people here are in too much delusion

 

[Deino]

Pakistan air chief said in 2024 that foundation has been laid for accusations of j-31 then in june 2025 gov official x acc said that china has offered 40 j-35 to Pakistan almost every poster of PAF future programs has j-31 in it PAF representative has said that pakistan gonna procure a next gen platfrom View attachment 207869but some people here are in too much delusion

Yes exactly, since they think this report means they are already ready for delivery !

That‘s the point of delusionism

 

[Paraboi]

Yes exactly, since they think this report means they are already ready for delivery !

That‘s the point of delusionism

Well obv it takes time to make infra for new tech but few people here just says they are not getting at all

 

[Salza]

I agree with this, especially the customer bit, but all the open source evidence we have seen PM's deleted tweet, CAS and Air Marshal's mention of J-35 and simply the inherent infrastructure we already have in place, leads me to think we may be first in line, cash wise we know the Saudis are now favourable to us and understand the need for us to reequip quickly.

Also lets not forget this is China's first export of 5th Gen, even if it will be downgraded I think for the first time they may well be very sensitive about where the tech ends up, and we all know that every major UAE bases is swarming with Westerners....

UAE getting J35 just do not make sense. They have western weapon systems. Will they be able to talk to Chinese craft ? No ...similarly if the add Chinese fighter systems will they be sync with western weapon systems? No. Pakistan has built data link 17 on top of link16, to integrate Chinese systems or atleast Chinese systems talking to the other Chinese systems as we have plenty of it. UAE is more interested to get F35s not that long ago and for that they recognize Israel for that.

 

[Salza]

China will sell 100%. Money talks. Secondly, why on earth China wouldn't want a middle east market ? It would definitely want more penetration into extremely rich middleeast market. China is already selling its UAVs and other weapon systems. Also note the UAE purchased L-15 modern chinese jet trainers (widely regarded as trainers for 4.5 & 5th gen platforms). I won't be surprised even slightly if UAE is the first customer of J-35AE.

Lastly, in geopolitics there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies. What is permanent is business interests. China is 100% business minded (any country should be). That is why they have progressed economically so much. They will NEVER skip business opportunity and future partnership. As you also used the word "geostrategic". It's even more important than business to have such influence over middleeast. When you are purchasing a fighter aircraft then you are practically entering a strategic partnership especially if its a 5th gen platform then its even more relevant. China would absolutely LOVE if UAE approaches it for J-35.

Also in the end, We shouldn't be effected by any means with such a sale. Its a matter of two other foreign countries. We should be only concerned if any weapon system is coming to India and we don't have a counter for that. UAE posses ZERO threat to Pakistan militarily.

Lol do UAE has data link 17 to integrate Chinese systems into their system ? Will their Saab global eye , western radars , F16 block 60s be able to talk to J35 suddenly ? May be to keep J35 as hanger queens - a sale can be signed or perhaps India might be paying for those hanger queens in UAE. *Roll eyes*.

Just for your information, it took us significant effort and time to come up with data link 17 integration.

 

[Salza]

A Stealth platform like the J-35AE is itself a force multiplier that negates the competition of the number of AESA radars itself. It is a qualitative edge. Pakistan will never win on trying to match numbers, it wins by being qualitatively better on every front. If India is moving towards that, then PAF needs J-35AE sooner, and not later to negate that qualitative change.

Exactly. Even if we started getting J35, let's say in an year, it's complete integration, support system, building tactics for specific roles, will take PAF atleast 2 years to completely absorb the potential of true 5th generation tech. Better to start having asap albeit in limited numbers like just one squad for now.