Pakistan Denies J-35 Fighter Jet Deal with China, Says Defense Minister Khawaja Asif

World News: There has been a new twist regarding China's advanced J-35 stealth fighter jet, which has long been a subject of discussion in Pakistan. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has denied reports suggesting that the country will receive J-35 fighter jets by 2026. His statement comes amid widespread Pakistani and international media reports claiming that Pakistan had signed a deal with China to purchase 40 of these fifth-generation jets.

Media Hype or Ground Reality?

In a recent interview, when Khawaja Asif was asked whether the J-35 jets would be delivered by 2026, he responded, "This is only in the media. These reports are good for publicity, but they have no connection to the ground reality."

His comment makes it clear that no formal agreement or delivery plan currently exists between Pakistan and China regarding the J-35 program.

Earlier Hints from the Air Force Chief

Interestingly, earlier in 2024, Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu had hinted that the J-35 may soon be inducted into Pakistan’s air fleet. Reports also suggested that Pakistani pilots were undergoing training in China to operate these aircraft. These developments had strengthened the belief that Pakistan was close to acquiring the J-35.

No Chinese J-35A stealth Fighter Jets to Pakistan says Pak defence minister Khwaja Asif. pic.twitter.com/l1EA95WZFS

— Raja Muneeb (@RajaMuneeb) June 26, 2025

What Makes the J-35 So Special?

The J-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet developed by the Chinese aerospace company AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China). Known for its radar-evading capabilities, the aircraft is designed for both air superiority and precision strike missions.

It reportedly has two versions:

• Land-based variant—built for the PLA Air Force (PLAAF)
• Carrier-based variant—designed for PLA Naval Air Force (PLANAF) operations using CATOBAR (Catapult-Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) systems.

Why It Matters for Pakistan

With neighboring India possessing advanced aircraft like the Rafale and increasingly pursuing self-reliant defense strategies, Pakistan is looking toward China for military modernization and support. The J-35, with its stealth features and long-range capabilities, could offer a strategic advantage to Pakistan, especially in balancing regional air superiority.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif’s latest statement suggests that speculation around the J-35 deal may be premature. Whether Pakistan eventually proceeds with acquiring the fighter jet or not remains uncertain. For now, however, there is no official confirmation, and the hype surrounding the aircraft appears to be based more on media-driven assumptions than on signed contracts.

This uncertainty raises important questions about Pakistan’s defense planning and its future air force capabilities in a region marked by fast-paced military modernization.