Pakistan Eyes China's J-35 Stealth Fighter Jets: A Strategic Shift in South Asian Air Power

International News: A significant development is poised to reshape the air power balance in South Asia. Pakistan, which has already strengthened its Air Force with Chinese-origin fighter jets like the JF-17 and J-10C, is now preparing for a major leap forward. According to multiple media reports, Pakistan is planning to procure the fifth-generation J-35 stealth fighter jets from China, with the first batch expected to be delivered by the end of 2025.

What Makes the J-35 So Special?

The J-35, widely regarded as China’s most advanced fighter aircraft to date, is a twin-engine, single-seat, supersonic stealth jet. Designed for multi-role combat missions, it is capable of executing air-to-air, air-to-ground, and intelligence and reconnaissance operations. The aircraft is equipped with cutting-edge systems, including:

• Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar
• Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS)
• Infrared Search and Track (IRST)

Next-generation avionics

According to China’s state-run Global Times, the J-35 has been engineered for stealth and counter-stealth combat, offering a strategic edge in achieving air superiority. It has earned the nickname "Black Box" due to the extreme difficulty in detecting and tracking it through conventional systems.

Near-Invisible on Radar

The J-35’s most formidable feature is its exceptionally low radar cross-section (RCS), reportedly as small as 0.001 square meters. This makes it nearly invisible to radar detection systems — a serious concern for countries like India, which currently lack operational stealth capabilities. The integration of such advanced stealth technology into Pakistan’s arsenal would represent a substantial upgrade, especially considering the absence of stealth fighters in its current fleet.

The aircraft comes in two variants—one designed for naval operations and the other for land-based missions. It is widely believed that Pakistan will acquire the land-based version, which includes advanced IRST capabilities.

Implications for India’s Strategic Posture

India’s Air Force currently does not possess any fifth-generation stealth fighters. Neither the American F-35 nor the Russian Su-57 has been inducted, and no confirmed deals exist for their procurement. India’s indigenous project, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is still in the early development phase, with operational deployment unlikely before 2035.

According to a defense report aired on a leading national security news channel, any stealth capability introduced into Pakistan’s air fleet—particularly in the form of the J-35—could present serious strategic concerns for India.

A Growing China-Pakistan Air Power Axis

If Pakistan proceeds with the acquisition of 40 J-35 jets, it would join the elite group of countries with stealth air capabilities—currently dominated by the United States, China, and Russia. This would create a dual security challenge for India: on one hand, the growing air dominance of China; and on the other, the transfer of cutting-edge weaponry to Pakistan.

India’s Options: F-35, Su-57 or Indigenous AMCA?

Although India is considering the procurement of the F-35 or the Su-57, no concrete agreements have been made. Defense analysts suggest that India is currently focusing on the AMCA as its long-term solution, which is being developed with a focus on future threats and operational needs. However, the project faces significant technological and financial hurdles, along with a long developmental timeline.

A Call for Strategic Reassessment

The potential induction of J-35 stealth fighters into Pakistan’s Air Force is more than just an arms acquisition — it’s a paradigm shift in regional air combat capabilities. This development could compel India to reassess its defense strategies and fast-track its efforts to close the stealth technology gap. Whether India opts for a foreign stealth platform or continues to rely on indigenous innovation will be a decision of great strategic consequence in the coming decade.