PAF J-35AE - News, Updates and Discussions

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

The PAF airchief made the statement that "We are getting the J-31s"...

He also said SOON but HOW SOON is the main question, HE DON'T GAVE TIME FRAME BUT NOT IN DEFINITELY COMING WITHIN 2 YEARS

IMPOSSIBLE

 

[Muji.Iqbal]

It is confirmed Pakistan will induct J-31 very soon.

@Windjammer @Zarvan

Pakistan too should make a generation 5 fighter. Perhaps with the JF-17 chassis made with China.

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

Pakistan too should make a generation 5 fighter. Perhaps with the JF-17 chassis made with China.

Pakistan has no base industrial and research & development to develop 5th generation jet

 

[FuturePAF]

There is another side to this as well - after being “shut off” post pressler for a decade the PAF was suddenly exposed to modes and methods of operation that left its leaders in awe and scrambling to update their thought process. The red flags and other associated exchange programs are what resulted in the textbook operation a few years back and a decade of improvement over disjointed ops.

That also included an introduction (not training) to 5th and LO concepts because the other part of these B-2 and(later on F-22 and RQ flights) was having infrastructure in place to tackle frenemy incursions.

The PAF’s look into Vera had less to do with India and more to do with LO UAV overflights not authorized looking for signs of Pakistani nuclear infrastructure.

Hopefully the Havasoj aircraft along with the new longer detection range Erieyes will help locate and record (or disrupt if necessary) more LO signature aircraft as well as help the PAF refine its methods and procedures to operate its own future LO platforms, knowing their vulnerabilities to detection.

 

[FuturePAF]

Pakistan too should make a generation 5 fighter. Perhaps with the JF-17 chassis made with China.

Small modifications to the airframe (to reduce the most blatantly high signature features) but mostly EW advancements, the way the Swedes are doing with the Gripen-E is the way to cost effectively do this. Especially because the plane is too small to house a significant amount of weapons internally. Better to work on the above mentioned methods and wait till the WS-19 is available to power the design, providing more power to the EW equipment to make the plane electronically “stealthy”.

Ideally it would be this infamous design, but we know those kind of resources aren’t available because there are other priorities.

 

[Muji.Iqbal]

Small modifications to the airframe (to reduce the most blatantly high signature features) but mostly EW advancements, the way the Swedes are doing with the Gripen-E is the way to cost effectively do this. Especially because the plane is too small to house a significant amount of weapons internally. Better to work on the above mentioned methods and wait till the WS-19 is available to power the design, providing more power to the EW equipment to make the plane electronically “stealthy”.

Ideally it would be this infamous design, but we know those kind of resources aren’t available because there are other priorities.
View attachment 59434

True, Sir. With China's help we can do this 5th generation fighter for Pakistan.

The other member is right, Pakistan needs to develop the scientific and industrial background for these ambitious projects.

 

[Michael]

The aircraft was originally positioned for export and there was no individual adjustment for export PAFs.

So far, there have been very many rumors about this aircraft, and only one piece of information has been 100% confirmed: the carrier-based version of this aircraft will enter service with the PLA Navy.

At the moment, there are no reliable sources confirming that the PLAAF will be equipped with an Air Force version of this aircraft.

As for the news of PAF's purchase of this aircraft, there is no official information from China to confirm it.

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About J20C:

In the movie The Wandering Earth II, a VTOL version of the J20 fighter appeared, which was named J20C. This is CG, not real. But, when this film was filmed and produced, it was supported by AVIC, and AVIC agreed that the crew should use the J20C code.
So....... In China, the J20C refers specifically to this CG fighter, not to a successor to the real J20.

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[FuturePAF]

True, Sir. With China's help we can do this 5th generation fighter for Pakistan.

The other member is right, Pakistan needs to develop the scientific and industrial background for these ambitious projects.

It’s all possible with the right funding, focus, and time. It depends on if we can manage our money correctly, and therefore it all comes back to a political decision; is Pakistan a nation or just a place that exists for the benefit of a limited number of people? When we make this decision, our options become clear, one way or another.

 

[Deino]

Mate, you don't know me so don't go around assuming what I know or I don't know. Just because you are a title holder doesn't exactly gives you authority to judge people. Your powers are restricted to the Internet. I'm not forcing my opinion on you or anyone else. The PAF airchief made the statement that "We are getting the J-31s".....Maybe you and other enlightened ones should inform him , its impossible as only one prototype is flying. Lol.

Well, exactly the way you reply proves my point … a fan boy who knows nothing and not able or willing to understand and read between the lines!

Mate, I know what the AC said and no-one denies this - if you would check a bit I said more than once, the J-31 will come - but he never specified a date and soon could mean anything.
All I contradict - since it makes no sense and is simply unrealistic - is this overhyped date „by late 2025 or early 2026“!

Why are you youngsters so blind to facts, as if someone wanted to take away your favorite toy? And contradicting specific points - aka the timeline - doesn't mean that anyone is against the issue itself, against Pakistan or the J-31!

But that's also typical of fanboys!

 

[Michael]

Pakistan too should make a generation 5 fighter. Perhaps with the JF-17 chassis made with China.

The creation of fifth-generation fighters requires a very large and complex industrial system and very sophisticated technologies. The only countries in the world that can manufacture independently are United States, Russia, and China.

Korea, India, Turkey............. The fifth-generation fighter projects, core components and important components of these countries are all imported from other countries, and they do not have these technologies and capabilities themselves. Frankly, they can only do the simple assembly work.They're more of a face project.

For Pakistan, limited funds should be used for the deep localization of JF17. At this stage, fifth-generation fighters can be purchased directly from China.

When the JF17 completes the deep localization, buy some technology from China, and then consider making its own fifth-generation fighter, or upgrading the JF17 to the level of the fifth-generation fighter. But this should be 10~20 years later.

 

[Beijingwalker]

Pakistan trains pilots on Chinese J-31 stealth fighters to counter India's Rafale jets​

• 14 Aug, 2024 - 9:15
• Defense News Aerospace 2024

According to the Pakistani TV network BOL News on July 30, 2024, as well as Raad on August 1, 2024, Pakistan has begun training its fighter pilots on the Chinese Shenyang FC-31, also known as the J-31, a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC). This development is part of a broader initiative by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to modernize its fleet and improve its operational readiness, particularly in the context of its ongoing rivalry with India.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF)'s focus on acquiring advanced military technology comes in response to India's progress in developing its own air capabilities. To address this, Pakistan has already integrated several Chinese-origin platforms, including J-10C fighter jets, advanced radar systems, and missile technologies, into its air force. The induction of the Chinese J-31 stealth aircraft represents a continuation of this trend, aimed at maintaining a balance of power in the region.

The rivalry between the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) is rooted in their historical conflicts and ongoing strategic competition. Both nations have prioritized modernizing their air fleets, with Pakistan introducing the JF-17 Block III, developed in collaboration with China, while India has invested in aircraft such as the locally-made Tejas and the French-made Rafale. The competition extends beyond technology to strategic positioning, with each air force aiming to maintain an edge through international collaborations and enhancing combat readiness. The rivalry has been marked by significant events like the aerial engagements in 2019, which highlighted the ongoing tension and the importance each country places on air superiority in the region.

The J-31, also known as the FC-31 Gyrfalcon or J-35, is a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter developed by bot SAC and AVIC. The aircraft is designed to enhance air combat capabilities with its advanced stealth features, situational awareness, and munitions loadout. Comparisons have been drawn between the J-31 and the U.S. F-35, as both aircraft offer similar technological advancements. The acquisition of the J-31 is expected to be a key component of Pakistan's strategy to ensure its air force remains competitive in the region.

The development of the J-31 by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has been closely monitored by defense analysts. The aircraft first gained attention in 2011 when images of a model labeled as the F-60 surfaced online, leading to speculation about its capabilities and market intentions. Initially, the J-31 was developed as an export-oriented fighter without direct funding from the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The prototype's first public appearance occurred in 2012, generating further interest in the aircraft.

The J-31 was officially unveiled at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in November 2014, where SAC disclosed that the project had been self-funded. The aircraft's design, which includes forward-swept intake ramps, diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) bumps, and oblique vertical stabilizers, is intended to make it competitive in the global market.

Over the course of its development, the J-31 has undergone several design revisions and testing phases. While initially positioned for export, the aircraft has also attracted interest from the PLA, particularly the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The PLAN is considering a carrier-based variant of the J-31, often referred to as the J-35, which conducted its maiden flight on October 29, 2021. This naval version includes modifications such as a catapult launch bar and folding wings designed for carrier operations.

The development of the J-31 has been subject to controversy, particularly concerning reports in 2009 that Chinese hackers had accessed sensitive information from the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter program. There has been speculation that this data may have influenced the J-31's design. However, some Russian aviation experts have characterized the J-31 as an indigenous design, distinct from existing Western aircraft.

The J-31 is expected to achieve a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 at high altitude, with a service ceiling of 16,000 meters. Its combat radius is reported to be around 1,200 kilometers, extendable to 1,900 kilometers with aerial refueling. The aircraft is designed to carry up to 8,000 kilograms of munitions on both internal and external hardpoints, but while the Rafale (in service with India) is a reliable and battle-tested platform, the FC-31 represents China's push into the next generation of stealth fighters, though it still has to prove its capabilities in real-world operations.

The Rafale, a 4.5-generation fighter developed by France, is known for its multirole capabilities, with extensive combat deployment across various global conflicts. It combines advanced avionics with a wide range of armaments, making it adaptable to different missions. The FC-31 Gyrfalcon, a Chinese fifth-generation stealth fighter, aims to offer advanced stealth features and modern avionics, with an emphasis on air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. While the Rafale has a well-documented service record, the FC-31, still in development, represents China's push to compete in the stealth fighter category but lacks operational experience.

 

[Ali_Baba]

Does that mean that the PAF does not think J10C is good enough to match the Rafale, if it is forced to get the FC-31 to match the Rafale ?

 

[Beijingwalker]

Does that mean that the PAF does not think J10C is good enough to match the Rafale, if it is forced to get the FC-31 to match the Rafale ?

Different jets for different purposes.

 

[UKBengali]

Does that mean that the PAF does not think J10C is good enough to match the Rafale, if it is forced to get the FC-31 to match the Rafale ?

No I don't think so.

PAF is probably looking for quality to make up for Indian numerical superiority.

Even a fleet of 40 J-31s would give PAF air superiority over IAF due to the fact they would have such a lop-sided kill ratios against 4th generation fighters.

 

[warking2005]

Does that mean that the PAF does not think J10C is good enough to match the Rafale, if it is forced to get the FC-31 to match the Rafale ?

J31 grantees local air supremacy while also acting as a semi strategic weapon. J10cs are going to be the medium in the new fighter mix supposed to operate inside pakistan.