PAF J-35AE - News, Updates and Discussions

[TAC]

I still think IOC by December 2026.

It will be interesting to see if PAF gets the “full fat” version and not the export version.

Based on history, Pakistan has nearly always asked for specific improvements/ refinements from China before acquiring and while there maybe no / little need for that in this case, I am still sure they will only want / get the fully capable version.
The only instance contrary to this is the debate about the PL-15 Pakistan got being a downgraded export version. Personally, I don’t believe that and suspect this was thrown into the mix just to stop too many alarm bells going in certain other countries.

 

[Michael]

No, Pakistan will get them before 2030, but not before 2027.
I'm thinking around 2028-29 for the initial blocks. Probably only a squadron though.
We'll probably see weapons testing in 2026, and final operational clearance of the fighter in 2027.
I used to think not before 2030 as well, but the Chinese seem to doubling down on the fighter and speeding through testing and development.

My projections for some scenarios based on analysis of what is known so far:

2025.
A naval version of the J-35 (WS-21) will appear in CV-18, but it will not go into mass production. It will simply be produced in small batches followed by some adaptive and tactical testing.
The J-35(WS-19) naval version will probably make its first flight on land at some point.
The J-35A (WS-19) will also only undergo tactical testing after small production runs. We may find it at PLAAF's Cangzhou or Dingxin bases.

2026.
The naval version of the J-35 (WS-19) may make its first takeoff and landing at CV-18. If all goes well, after some technical tests and adjustments, this version will go into mass production.
The J-35A (WS-19) will start a pulsed production program.
The export version of the J-35 (WS-21) will officially appear at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2026.

We don't go for substandard or less power version. It would be full on J-35 a stealth fighter jet. China is really very close to full scale production.

1. Any weaponry with information technology systems in PLA active service is not exported in its own version. For example, tanks, warships, fighters, etc. Weapons and equipment without informatization systems may be exported moderately depending on the situation. For example, ammunition, light weapons, etc.

2. When China exports advanced weapon systems, most of them support limited functional customization by customers. The base platform of the export version is fixed and cannot be altered, nor does it support customization. However, they support customers to select their own subsystems from a library of optional subsystems.
PLAAF positions the J-35 as a multirole multi-mission fighter.PLAN positions the J-35 as an air superiority fighter.
Their associated subsystem pairings are based on this positioning as a basic principle.
Which subsystems will PAF ultimately choose? Depends on the PAF's positioning of it. But what is certain is that it can only choose from a pool of subsystems that China can export.
They are not fit to be judged in terms of advanced or backward, they are up to the customer to decide if they are right for them.

About the engine. I can answer you with 100% certainty. there is no possibility of any export of WS-19 before 2030. The chances of it being exported before 2035 are very, very small, infinitely close to 0%. It is not on the list of exportable products now.
If PAF wants to get J-35 before those times, then WS-21 will be the only option.

 

[That_Guy]

Again wrong assumption. You are assuming that as PAF Air Chief announced it in this January we started doing the entire process of evaluating planes and developing infrastructure after that. No Sir, you are wrong here, We are evaluating and are part of J-31 project for several years now, and developing infrastructure to induct a 5th Generation Fighter for past 3 years at least.

No, that's what you wish was happening, this is not reality.

Even China itself hasn't developed the necessary infrastructure for this particular fighter.

You cannot build the necessary infrastructure until you know what your fighter even looks like and what it needs.

Right now the J-35 is in development, which means the current J-35 is NOT the final version.

In other words, Pakistan, and China have no idea what the final insfracture for the fighter will actually look like until it reaches operational clearance...which it has not.

Tl;dr separate your desires from reality.

 

[That_Guy]

We don't go for substandard or less power version. It would be full on J-35 a stealth fighter jet. China is really very close to full scale production.

Pakistan absolutely goes for substandard of less power version, not because it wants to but rather because that's all anyone (especially China) is willing to sell Pakistan.

You have always said it, and it has always been false.

Take the PL-15E, which is a downgraded version of the PL-15. Pakistan inducted the PL-15E, because that was all China was willing to give Pakistan.

 

[Yasser76]

Pakistan absolutely goes for substandard of less power version, not because it wants to but rather because that's all anyone (especially China) is willing to sell Pakistan.

You have always said it, and it has always been false.

Take the PL-15E, which is a downgraded version of the PL-15. Pakistan inducted the PL-15E, because that was all China was willing to give Pakistan.

Not shocking, the premier version will face off USN/USAF in the Pacific. Pakistan cannot protect Chinese citizens, how we going to protect Stealth secrets when the US Embassy in Islamabad is their 3rd largest in the world....

 

[Zarvan]

No, that's what you wish was happening, this is not reality.

Even China itself hasn't developed the necessary infrastructure for this particular fighter.

You cannot build the necessary infrastructure until you know what your fighter even looks like and what it needs.

Right now the J-35 is in development, which means the current J-35 is NOT the final version.

In other words, Pakistan, and China have no idea what the final insfracture for the fighter will actually look like until it reaches operational clearance...which it has not.

Tl;dr separate your desires from reality.

That is exactly what was happening. China Pakistan relations are way different. If you haven't understood this basic fact than you will keep having disastrously wrong assumptions.

 

[TAC]

Pakistan absolutely goes for substandard of less power version, not because it wants to but rather because that's all anyone (especially China) is willing to sell Pakistan.

You have always said it, and it has always been false.

Take the PL-15E, which is a downgraded version of the PL-15. Pakistan inducted the PL-15E, because that was all China was willing to give Pakistan.

Sorry, disagree with this. I know about the apparently downgraded PL-15 but personally don’t believe it. I think that was done just to avoid setting off too many alarm bells in the US / India. Can you name any other product that PAF bought from China that was a downgraded version. On the contrary, in most cases PAF has requested specific enhancements before buying.

 

[TAC]

Not shocking, the premier version will face off USN/USAF in the Pacific. Pakistan cannot protect Chinese citizens, how we going to protect Stealth secrets when the US Embassy in Islamabad is their 3rd largest in the world....

If China is indeed concerned about US learning something they don’t already know, what’s to stop them putting the same sort of checks in place, as US has for its Block 52’s? Regardless of how big the US embassy is, China still has a comparatively huge presence in Pakistan.

 

[Yasser76]

If China is indeed concerned about US learning something they don’t already know, what’s to stop them putting the same sort of checks in place, as US has for its Block 52’s? Regardless of how big the US embassy is, China still has a comparatively huge presence in Pakistan.

Very true, they will probably do the same checks as US, cannot blame them, but will they risk the very best cutting edge tech to an Air Force that is still quite reliant on the US? Not so sure. Also, recent Pak track record on protecting Chinese assets is nothing to be proud of....

 

[That_Guy]

That is exactly what was happening. China Pakistan relations are way different. If you haven't understood this basic fact than you will keep having disastrously wrong assumptions.

They are not different, and you saying otherwise just proves my point that Pakistanis are suckers. China has zero respect for Pakistan precisely because of this mentality.

 

[That_Guy]

Sorry, disagree with this. I know about the apparently downgraded PL-15 but personally don’t believe it. I think that was done just to avoid setting off too many alarm bells in the US / India. Can you name any other product that PAF bought from China that was a downgraded version. On the contrary, in most cases PAF has requested specific enhancements before buying.

The new subs Pakistan is buying From China are apparently downgraded from their Chinese counter parts. Same with Chinese warships Pakistan buys.

We know that the J-10C is a downgraded version as well.

The Al-Haider is supposed to be the full package, but China sold Pakistan the export version which is downgraded and doesn't have certain features.

Those are just a few examples.

 

[PakAl]

Hi,

Haters are crying rivers of tears---. They simply cannot comprehend the development of the J31---.

@MastanKhan it's shocking how fast work has been done on J35 as many PDF analysis were claiming J35 and J31 are different, and J35 is brand new, even though I asked a few times it looks very similar j31 and it's continues development of J31. The induction date can be anytime, it's looks ready. its surprising quick if paf inducts it before 2027. I was expecting after 2030 2032 due to Pakistan already having Jf17 J10c F16s. It's almost like some big war is coming?

 

[TAC]

The new subs Pakistan is buying From China are apparently downgraded from their Chinese counter parts. Same with Chinese warships Pakistan buys.

We know that the J-10C is a downgraded version as well.

The Al-Haider is supposed to be the full package, but China sold Pakistan the export version which is downgraded and doesn't have certain features.

Those are just a few examples.

Since this thread is related to PAF, I specifically said products bought by PAF, so how specifically is the J-10c ‘downgraded’? and what source is there to confirm this? They bought it to counter the Rafale and yet settled for less than full capability version?

 

[studsmart]

The new subs Pakistan is buying From China are apparently downgraded from their Chinese counter parts. Same with Chinese warships Pakistan buys.

We know that the J-10C is a downgraded version as well.

The Al-Haider is supposed to be the full package, but China sold Pakistan the export version which is downgraded and doesn't have certain features.

Those are just a few examples.

not down graded but modified to Pakistani requirements and budget. Downgrading the equipment was USSR/ Russia mindset. Europe and USA create customer-specific packages. That is why Pakistan blk52+ is not the same as that of Oman or Morocco, etc., they all have some minor differences. IAF Rafel is not exactly same as that of egypt and UAE.

And Yes, USAF F16 Blk52+ is different as it has a different package format. This same process is adopted by China with fewer modifications than western counterpart.

At the end of the day what PAF bought with J10 is what PAF wants. if PAF J10 different than that of PLAAF, absolutely yes but not down graded but modified to PAF needs including weapon package.

People talk about PL15E as a down graded version, the question is what aspects are down graded ? no one can explain ....

 

[MastanKhan]

@MastanKhan it's shocking how fast work has been done on J35 as many PDF analysis were claiming J35 and J31 are different, and J35 is brand new, even though I asked a few times it looks very similar j31 and it's continues development of J31. The induction date can be anytime, it's looks ready. its surprising quick if paf inducts it before 2027. I was expecting after 2030 2032 due to Pakistan already having Jf17 J10c F16s. It's almost like some big war is coming?

Hi,

I will share otherwise---and you decide---.

The chinese never stopped working on the J31. They just did it in the "stealth mode ".

The kept the attention of everyone focused towards the J20 and developed systems to enhance its performance---.

The J31 just got overlooked by the overzealous crowd---.