Latest news with #J-10CE
India.com
6 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Pakistan Air Force: The mysterious 70-year-old US software behind PAF's power, used against India during..., name is...
Pakistan Air Force: The mysterious 70-year-old US software behind PAF's power, used against India during..., name is... Operation Sindoor by the Indian Air Force was not just a military mission, it became a symbol of India's smart planning, advanced technology, and strong strategy. Under this operation, the Indian Army carried out precise and powerful airstrikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India used its latest fighter jet, the Rafale, in the operation. The Rafale jets were able to dodge Pakistan's air defence systems and hit their targets accurately. The most surprising part? Pakistan didn't even realize they were under attack until the Indian planes had already completed their mission and returned. Though Pakistani media and officials are trying to deny the attack, satellite images and reports from global defence experts clearly show that Operation Sindoor was a serious military blow for Pakistan. J-10CE vs Rafale After Operation Sindoor, Pakistan claimed that its Chinese-made J-10CE fighter jets had matched up to India's Rafale jets. But did that really happen? According to Quwa, a website that covers defence issues, the strength of Pakistan's Air Force doesn't lie in new jets, but in the old training systems provided by the US. Back in the 1950s, the U.S. gave Pakistan aircraft like the F-86 Sabre along with a full operational software system that included pilot training, squadron management, and technical infrastructure. But in real combat, what matters more than training and tech is strategy, precision, and the will to win. On one hand, Rafale jets come with advanced features like: The ability to attack multiple targets at once Low observability (making it hard to detect) The deadly Meteor air-to-air missile, known for long-range accuracy On the other hand, Pakistan's J-10CE is simply a new toy, bought from China, but not tested in serious real-world combat. Rafale has proven itself in real war situations While Pakistan's J-10CE may look strong on paper, its real-world battle experience is still untested. In contrast, India's Rafale jets have already shown their strength in actual combat scenarios, be it the preparedness after Kargil or the Balakot airstrike. Now, let's talk about the mysterious 'software system' that websites like Quwa often mention. According to Quwa, back in 1950, under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP), the United States not only gave Pakistan advanced fighter aircraft but also shared a complete Air Force management system. This included: A Depot-Level Maintenance system Strict flight safety protocols Separate departments for Operations, Maintenance, and Administration This system helped Pakistan build a structured and disciplined Air Force. Air Marshal Asghar Khan played a key role in putting this system into action. In fact, the Air Force headquarters was moved from Rawalpindi to Peshawar to give it a separate identity from the army.
India.com
6 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
How The U.S. Rewired Pakistan's Air Force; Why That Legacy Still Matters Against India
New Delhi: When Indian jets pounded Pakistani positions under Operation Sindoor, Islamabad's narrative tried to flip the script. Claims of tactical success echoed through Pakistani media, even as damage reports told a different story. But behind these optics, Pakistani defence analysts are pointing to a system that did not come from China, but from the United States nearly 70 years ago. Defence portal Quwa highlighted how the foundations of Pakistan's air force still rest on operational practices and doctrine handed down by the United States as far back as the 1950s. The report claims that what many today call 'software', mindset, structure and operational culture, was installed in the early days of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) by American advisors. That legacy has shaped PAF's command philosophy to this day. It even influenced the decision to move the Air Force Headquarters from Rawalpindi to Peshawar, giving the force its own command ecosystem, distinct from the army's shadow. How America Gave PAF Its Operational 'Software' According to Quwa, in the early 1950s, Pakistan's air force lacked both equipment and a professional framework. The turning point came with the 1950 Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement with the United States. Under this, Washington not only provided F-86 Sabre aircraft to Pakistan but also embedded an entire operational doctrine into the PAF. Considered the architect of a modern PAF, then Air Marshal Asghar Khan recognised that the United States was sending jets as well as exporting a full system. This included depot-level aircraft maintenance, rather than the traditional squadron-level model; strict safety regulations, based on U.S. Air Force protocols; and clearly separated departments for operations, maintenance and administration. This model replaced the older British system and gave Pakistan's air force an American-style command structure that is still in use today. According to Quwa, this is the backbone that allows the PAF to integrate foreign fighter jets, including the Chinese J-10CE, into its arsenal smoothly. The report argues that this inherited mindset enables faster pilot adaptation and more coherent training cycles, which translates into better performance during real combat situations. A Quiet Nod to the U.S., Not China While Pakistani media has hyped up the role of Chinese-origin J-10CE fighter jets in countering India's Rafales, Quwa takes a more nuanced position. It suggests that the real enabler was not Chinese technology, but American methodology. The systems laid down decades ago by the United States, it claims, allow the PAF to function as a streamlined and adaptable air force, something its regional rivals have had to build from scratch. This legacy also explains the PAF's ability to quickly operationalise new platforms. Pilots transitioning to newer aircraft often show higher mission-readiness because the doctrine standardises procedures across the force. And it was this very consistency, Quwa argues, that allowed Pakistan to mount any kind of coordinated air response during India's strikes. What Really Happened in the Skies? Despite Pakistan's claims, the outcomes of the recent aerial confrontations tell a more complex story. Islamabad managed to shoot down one Indian aircraft, but failed to intercept or prevent Indian strikes on nine strategic sites in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Indian Rafales inflicted heavy damage. In military terms, Quwa concedes, these results raise questions. One of the contributing factors was a misjudgement by Indian forces regarding the range of China's PL-15 missiles, a gap in calculation that Pakistan used to its advantage. Even then, say Indian analysts, PAF's performance could only be counted as successful if it had prevented India's deep-penetration airstrikes, not merely retaliated after the fact. A Legacy That Still Shapes Air Battles Pakistan's narrative of victory, critics say, may not hold up under scrutiny. But the story that emerges from Quwa's reporting is not about flashy dogfights or headline-grabbing missile launches. It is about how a 70-year-old framework continues to define one of South Asia's most professionalised air forces. In the end, as Quwa puts it, it was not Chinese, but American 'software' (a system of discipline, structure and long-term strategic thinking) that made the real difference.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Unpaid jets, unfinished planes: China's 50% discounted fighter plane sale to Pakistan; citizens ask who is benefiting?
Beijing's fast track delivery plan of 30 J-35A stealth fighter jets to Pakistan at half the price triggered a storm of backlash across Chinese social media platforms. The move, which would mark China's first export of a fifth-generation combat aircraft, is being widely criticised as financially and strategically reckless. The deal is expected to begin deliveries in August 2025. However, the decision has left many Chinese citizens baffled and angry, especially as the J-35A, also known as the FC-31, is still undergoing testing and has not even yet been inducted into China's own air force. One user, posting under the handle @Zhejiang from the Yingyang Medical School, asked, 'Pakistan has also made a lot of fake news. How can it afford to buy it? It hasn't even paid for the J-10.' The comment refers to Pakistan's pending payments for earlier J-10C fighter jets purchased from China. Another user, @CQL0530, criticised Beijing's production priorities, 'China's own production of the J-35 has not yet been built up. How can it be given to them?' Some users dispensed with any diplomacy. 'Bullshit!' wrote another user, quoted by ET. The phrase '2 more powerful printers are coming,' shared by user Cracked Rose, was interpreted by some as a reference to the government printing more money, or jets, to fund the project. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 오스템 임플란트 받아가세요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo 'A charity sale', or 'strategic leverage' Beyond the jet's readiness, the announcement's timing has also drawn scrutiny. It comes just days after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, prompting Indian analysts to see the deal as China arming Pakistan amid renewed cross-border tensions. Back home, users are questioning whether the government is, in effect, subsidising a military client state with limited ability to pay. 'It is more in your interest to spend money on building and purchasing industrial equipment and infra,' one commenter wrote. The root of concern is whether China is selling a 'concept jet,' a fighter still in development, as a finished product. While the J-35 is designed to rival platforms like the US-made F-35, it lacks any combat history or proven capabilities. A shaky pitch China previously tried to market the J-10CE, another fighter jet supplied to Pakistan, as 'combat-tested', citing claims from Islamabad that it shot down Indian Rafales during Operation Sindoor. But these claims remained unverified outside Pakistani media and have been met with scepticism. Efforts to sell the J-10CE to countries like Egypt, Brazil, and Uzbekistan have so far failed. Experts point to its reliance on Russian engines, such as the RD-93 and AL-31, which are seen as outdated and increasingly risky given geopolitical tensions and supply chain concerns. Reports suggest that Pakistani pilots are already undergoing training in China to fly the J-35. However, the Chinese government has not issued any official statement on the backlash or confirmed the details of the sale. While India is expected to keep a close eye on how this unfolds, many in China are simply asking, who benefits? If the deal goes ahead, Beijing might frame it as a strategic move to cement influence in the region. But for many ordinary citizens, it's beginning to look like a high-risk bet, funded by the Chinese taxpayer, on an unfinished aircraft sold to a customer with an unreliable credit record.
Economic Times
08-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
50% off J-35A fighter jets! China's half-price stealth deal to Pakistan ignites online backlash, user says 'we pay the price'
Social media lights up: 'It hasn't even paid for the J-10' Live Events A charity sale or strategic move? The bigger gamble: Selling unfinished products Trying to sell the J-10CE and the story that didn't fly India watches, Pakistan trains, China stays quiet (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Beijing's decision to fast-track the delivery of 30 J-35A stealth fighters to Pakistan has ignited a wave of backlash among Chinese citizens. The deal, reportedly offered at a 50% discount, is scheduled to begin in August 2025. If it proceeds, it would mark China's first-ever export of a fifth-generation jet , as reported by Business online, disbelief is running are asking why China would send an unproven, in-testing aircraft — one not even inducted into its own air force — to a foreign buyer that still depends on IMF funding for economic Chinese platforms, the tone has been blunt and biting. One X user, Yingyang Medical School (@Zhejiang), wrote, 'Pakistan has also made a lot of fake news. How can it afford to buy it? It hasn't even paid for the J-10.' That refers to Islamabad's overdue payments for earlier Chinese J-10C fighter jets Another user, CQL0530, expressed disbelief over Beijing's manufacturing priorities: 'China's own production of the J-35 has not yet been built up. How can it be given to them?'And some didn't bother with nuance. Angry Man 1957 (@Guangdong) wrote, simply, 'Bullshit!' while another, posting as Clouds rise and fall from Sichuan province, said 'I can't afford it all,' seemingly lamenting the financial burden on Chinese phrase '2 more powerful printers are coming', shared by user Cracked Rose (@Guangdong), sparked speculation about whether the government plans to ramp up jet production or metaphorically 'print money' to cover the timing of the announcement is what has drawn particular ire. It comes just days after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The optics are not lost on either side: India views the move as Beijing arming its ally against Indian forces, while Chinese users question if their government is effectively subsidising weapons for a client state with poor credit user summed up the sentiment: 'It is more in your interest to spend money on building and purchasing industrial equipment and infra.'To them, this isn't about strategy — it's about misplaced J-35A — also known as the FC-31 — is still undergoing testing and has yet to be formally inducted into the People's Liberation Army Air Force. Unlike America's F-35, which has seen over 900 units delivered globally, the Chinese stealth fighter is still China appears eager to use the Pakistani order to market the aircraft internationally. The J-35 is designed to rival Western platforms, but without combat experience or confirmed specs, it remains a say the stealth jet may one day feature advanced sensors and integrated battlefield communication systems. For now, however, it's a concept being sold as a finished product — and critics aren't has also claimed that during Operation Sindoor, its Chinese-supplied J-10CE jets — armed with long-range PL-15 missiles — downed multiple Indian Rafale fighters. Beijing has reportedly leaned on these claims to pitch the J-10CE as 'combat-tested' in marketing outside Pakistan, no one's attempts to sell the J-10CE to Egypt, Brazil, and Uzbekistan have all fallen through. One reason is technical: the jet still depends on Russian engines like the Klimov RD-93 and Saturn AL-31, which many countries consider outdated or risky due to supply chain pilots are already being trained in China to fly the J-35s, according to sources. Meanwhile, the Chinese government and state media have remained silent on the growing online criticism. There's been no confirmation, no denial — just quiet momentum behind the on the other hand, is likely to view the sale as part of a broader strategy to shift the regional power balance. A 50% discount on next-gen jets, timed after a cross-border terror attack, adds fuel to long-standing concerns about China using Pakistan as a military now, the deal is neither confirmed by China nor fully detailed. But the backlash has been clear. Citizens are asking tough questions. Why sell an untested weapon to a financially unstable country? Why offer it at a discount? And who, ultimately, is footing the bill?Beijing may see the move as a long-term strategic investment. But at home, many are calling it what they believe it is — a heavily subsidised, risky gamble, paid for by the Chinese taxpayer.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
China and Pakistan reaffirm ironclad ties in FM Dar's first trip after conflict with India
BEIJING: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar (pic right) met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi (pic left) in Beijing on May 20 and the two men reaffirmed the ironclad friendship binding the two countries, following a four-day crossfire between India and Pakistan earlier in May. Dar is the first high-level Pakistani official to visit China after the India-Pakistan conflict drew international attention to the reported performance of Chinese fighter jets and missiles, one of the few times they have been tested in actual combat. Wang told Dar: 'As an ironclad friend, China will firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.' In response, Dar said Pakistan hopes to 'continue to receive strong support from China in overcoming current difficulties' and in promoting national development, security and stability, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry in a statement on May 20, although arms sales were not specifically mentioned. The reaffirmation of ties was significant as, aside from Turkey and Azerbaijan, there was little support for Pakistan during the conflict with India. Islamabad will want to reaffirm Beijing's diplomatic and strategic backing, especially as Pakistan faces international scrutiny for its murky role in cross-border terrorist activity, said Dr Sajjan Gohel, international security director at the London-based Asia-Pacific Foundation think-tank. The reported good showing of Pakistan's China-made weaponry, however, would not necessarily lead to more bilateral arms sales, analysts said. China is Pakistan's main arms supplier. The majority of China's arms sales has gone to Pakistan in recent years, including J-10CE fighter jets, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group and first delivered to Pakistan in 2022. During the conflict, those fighter jets reportedly shot down the French-designed Rafale aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force. New Delhi had declined to confirm the specific losses. This nevertheless triggered praise from Chinese state and social media in a supposed credibility boost for the Chinese defence industry, which still holds a small market share. China has accounted for about 6 per cent of global arms transfers in the past five years, behind the US, France and Russia. Professor Lin Minwang, who specialises in international relations and South Asia at Shanghai's Fudan University, said the performance of China's weapons would have boosted Pakistan's confidence in them, which is naturally good for future sales. Whether this would actually translate to more acquisitions depends on Pakistan's military plans and needs, said Prof Lin, who is deputy director at his university's Centre for South Asian Studies. He said the meeting between Wang and Dar not only served to calm regional tensions, but also allowed both sides to push forward with the upgraded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, with economic development still the basis of bilateral cooperation. The corridor is a multibillion-dollar flagship infrastructure network project that links China's western Xinjiang region with the Pakistani port of Gwadar. On May 7, India carried out precision strikes on what it called terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in response to an April 22 terror attack that killed 26 people. India blames Pakistan for the terror attack, but Islamabad has denied any involvement. Both sides reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict. Asia-Pacific Foundation's Dr Gohel believes Pakistan sought further upgrades from China to its air defence systems, radar integration and missile technology after India's strikes. Despite the framing of successes, Pakistan faced numerous setbacks, especially as its bases were repeatedly hit from India's stand-off capacity, he said. At the same time, the conflict had provided 'invaluable performance feedback (for Chinese weaponry) that no simulation or exercise can replicate', Dr Gohel said. He added that Pakistan's substantial military upgrades, if any, will be weighed against international optics, regional balance and China's own tensions with India. 'Any new systems offered are likely to be incremental or previously planned, avoiding moves that visibly escalate the situation,' he said. Dr Shounak Set, a research fellow with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies' South Asia Programme, said the conflict had presented China with an opportunity to enhance the reputation of its defence industry. This was especially as persistent concerns over quality control and performance had previously affected its defence exports, he said, adding that these concerns have been informally acknowledged within Pakistan as well. 'However, the performance of the Chinese air defence systems, which struggled to prevent deep strikes and precision targeting, offers a more measured and sobering assessment of the overall operational effectiveness,' said Dr Set. As for the overall China-Pakistan relationship, he said it is anchored in historical ties and a shared interest in counterbalancing India. 'This episode, like previous instances, reinforces the durability and strategic orientation of that relationship,' Dr Set said. - The Straits Times/ANN
