Latest news with #ShenyangJ-35
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
China to supply J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets to Pakistan. How IAF veterans reacted: 'It's worrying news'
Several Indian Air Force (IAF) veterans have raised alarms over reports that China will supply Pakistan with 40 Shenyang J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets. Earlier this month, the government of Pakistan said in a social media post that it would acquire 40 J-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft, and HQ-19 ballistic missile defence systems, Bloomberg reported. The J-35 sale to Pakistan would mark China's first export of the fifth-generation jet, which has advanced stealth capabilities. The fighter jet was developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and publicly unveiled at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow. Group Captain (Retd.) Ajay Ahlawat, a former IAF fighter pilot and defence analyst, told NDTV that the development is not a surprise as Pakistani pilots have been training in China. "Pakistan receiving these jets is not a surprise at all because their team of nominated fighter pilots have been in China for more than six months," he told the news channel. Also Read | India's strike on air bases forced Pakistan to request ceasefire, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar admits "They were training on the type before they were inducted. It was reported that the version that China will give to Pakistan is the FC-31, a slightly toned-down version of the J-35, which is practised across the globe. Nobody gives the full version," he added. He further said that Pakistan receiving the J-35 is going to raise concerns in India. Also Read | Amid Iran-Israel war, Pakistan fears Baloch militants rise; Asim Munir raises alarm with Donald Trump "It's worrying news," Group Captain Ahlawat told NDTV. "Ever since independence, we have fought a very hard battle in the procurement sphere to retain an edge over at least Pakistan, if not China. And any version of J-35 in Pakistani colours is going to raise concerns on our side. It's concerning." Air Marshal (Retd.) Sanjeev Kapoor also acknowledged the challenge and said India needs to have its own indigenous platform. "As per news reports, the Pakistanis are likely to get 40 aircraft by December this year," he told NDTV. "Nine to 10 years is the official figure by the time we could induct AMCA (advanced medium combat aircraft). There is absolutely no doubt that we need to have our own indigenous platform. But as a nation, can we wait ten more years with adversaries on both sides acquiring more and better equipment?" Developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the J-35 is a twin-engine stealth fighter intended to complement the larger J-20 and potentially operate from China's expanding fleet of aircraft carriers. An evolution of the FC-31 prototype showcased at the 2014 Zhuhai Airshow, the J-35 features stealth-enhancing elements such as a streamlined, faceted fuselage, angled vertical stabilisers, and internal weapons bays to minimise its radar signature.
NDTV
a day ago
- Business
- NDTV
40 China J-35 Jets For Pak, India's 5th Gen Decade Away: IAF Veterans Weigh In
New Delhi: China will reportedly supply 40 Shenyang J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets to Pakistan. With the J-35 induction, Pakistan joins a small group of countries operating stealth technology. The Indian Air Force (IAF), which currently lacks any stealth fighters in operational service, is still at least a decade away from inducting its indigenous fifth-generation stealth aircraft - the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Official estimates place the AMCA's induction around 2035. NDTV spoke to senior IAF veterans for insight into the implications of this development and to assess India's operational preparedness to tackle fifth-generation stealth fighters. Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat (Retd.), a former IAF fighter pilot and defence analyst, confirmed the developments with regard to Pakistani pilot training in China. "Pakistan receiving these jets is not a surprise at all because their team of nominated fighter pilots have been in China for more than six months," he said. "They were training on the type before they were inducted. It was reported that the version that China will give to Pakistan is the FC-31, a slightly toned-down version of the J-35, which is practised across the globe. Nobody gives the full version." The FC-31 is an export variant of the J-35 and is widely understood to possess reduced capability compared to the frontline aircraft serving the People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force (PLANAF). "The only surprise element," Group Captain Ahlawat added, "is that they're coming a little ahead of schedule. That's the only surprise." The Indian Air Force has long maintained air superiority over Pakistan, based on superior training, tactics, and a more diversified inventory. The J-35 deliveries threaten to narrow that advantage. "It's worrying news," Group Captain Ahlawat said. "Ever since independence, we have fought a very hard battle in the procurement sphere to retain an edge over at least Pakistan, if not China. And any version of J-35 in Pakistani colours is going to raise concerns on our side. It's concerning." "Unfortunately, we have only two bad choices, the F-35 and the Su-57. The only good choice is the AMCA. The only way we can get past this problem is to give it a national mission-mode push and get it online as soon as we can." The AMCA, an ambitious twin-engine stealth fighter programme being developed by India's Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with the air force and navy, is still in the early stages of development. Prototype roll-out is targeted for 2028-29, and full induction is not expected before 2035. Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor (Retd.), who served in key planning roles within the IAF, acknowledged the seriousness of the challenge and offered an interim solution. "As per news reports, the Pakistanis are likely to get 40 aircraft by December this year," he told NDTV. "Nine to ten years is the official figure by the time we could induct AMCA. There is absolutely no doubt that we need to have our own indigenous platform. But as a nation, can we wait ten more years with adversaries on both sides acquiring more and better equipment?" Air Marshal Kapoor advocated for an off-the-shelf acquisition of Russian Sukhoi Su-57 jets in a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement, similar to the Rafale deal, to bridge the capability gap. "The Su-57 has a lot of compatibility with our equipment, weapons, radars and other systems," he explained. "And in many parameters, it is better than the F-35. Both these aircraft flew in Aero India. I spoke to certain people who saw both performing. There's no doubt that F-35 is state-of-the-art. But Su-57 ticks more boxes in many ways." Air Marshal Kapoor suggested that such a deal should come with the transfer of technology and coding access to allow the integration of India's own DRDO-developed weapon systems. "With Russian support, we could build on this," he added. "Our aircrew and ground crew, until AMCA is ready, will gain valuable experience. Also, our AMCA design and development teams can draw lessons from operating a fifth-generation fighter in Indian conditions." Group Captain Ahlawat disagreed with this proposition. "I'm sorry. I'm going to completely and absolutely disagree with you," he said. "Transfer of Technology makes sense if we didn't have AMCA. It would make sense if we did not have the technology research cells. But we do." He cited the IAF's prior involvement in the now-aborted FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) programme with Russia, from which India withdrew after evaluating the Su-57's early iterations. "We were part of the Su-57 programme," Ahlawat noted. "We didn't like what we saw. We spent $350 million and we walked away. There is a lot we know about it, and we didn't like it. Russia doesn't have one full operational regiment of Su-57s. They haven't produced what they need for themselves. We're filling the gap before our own homegrown fighter gets airborne. We should go for something proven. It's a bad choice, but among the two bad choices, F-35 is the less bad choice."
Miami Herald
11-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Major Pakistan Defense Boost as China Military Ties Deepen
Pakistan is set to boost its defense budget by 17 percent, allocating $9 billion (2.55 trillion rupees) as tensions with India soar following a deadly flare-up in April. In response to this heightened threat, Islamabad revealed that China has offered cutting-edge military hardware-including 40 J-35 stealth fighter jets and ballistic missile defense systems-signaling a significant escalation in their strategic alliance. Newsweek has reached out to the Pakistani and Indian foreign ministries for comment. This increase in defense spending underscores Pakistan's urgent focus on modernizing its military capabilities amid a volatile regional security environment. The rise in budget allocation comes after the most intense conflict with India in years, raising concerns about future escalation. Simultaneously, China's role as Pakistan's primary arms supplier is becoming more prominent, reshaping the military balance in South Asia. Pakistan's finance ministry announced a defense budget increase to $9 billion (2.55 trillion rupees) for the 2025-26 fiscal year, up from $7.7 billion (2.18 trillion rupees) the previous year. Defense spending remains the country's second-largest budget item after debt servicing, underscoring Islamabad's prioritization of military strength despite significant economic challenges. The recent conflict between India and Pakistan, in which dozens of people were killed, came in the wake of an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan denied Indian allegations of involvement in the attack. Since 2019, China has supplied about 82 percent of Pakistan's imported weapons, a sharp rise from 51 percent during 2009–2012, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. This dependency is reflected in China's recent offer to sell Pakistan a comprehensive military package that includes 40 Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter jets, Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, and HQ-19 ballistic missile defense systems, as confirmed by official Pakistani government statements and defense industry sources. The J-35, still under development, is a fifth-generation stealth fighter comparable to the U.S. F-35 Lightning II. It features low-observable design, an internal weapons bay, and advanced radar for networked warfare. The KJ-500 AEW&C aircraft boosts Pakistan's aerial surveillance with its large radar dish and active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, providing 360-degree coverage vital for early threat detection. The HQ-19 missile defense system offers ballistic missile interception, an important asset for Pakistan's layered defense. Pakistan also recently secured a $4.6 billion contract with Azerbaijan for 40 JF-17 fighter jets, co-developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China, further cementing its military-industrial partnership with Beijing. Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb: "National defense is the most important priority of the government. For this national duty, Rs2,550 billion [$9.04 billion] will be allocated." Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif: "After defeating India in a conventional war, now we have to go beyond it in the economic field as well." Pakistan's expanded defense budget and China's offer of advanced military hardware are set to further intensify the regional arms race, particularly with India, which has also increased its defense spending. The coming year could test Pakistan's ability to balance military modernization with economic stability as the country navigates a tense security environment and complex geopolitical partnerships. Related Articles India to Get New Spy Planes to Counter Nuclear Rivals Pakistan and ChinaIndia Holds Major Air Drill Near Pakistan After Giant DogfightWorld's Highest Rail Bridge Opens to Reshape Nuclear Rivals' Power MapGlobal Arms Race Warning Issued As Nuclear Warheads Increase 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
