A recent report by Pakistan's 24 News HD has claimed that the potential acquisition of Chinese J-35A stealth fighter jets by Pakistan could significantly shift the balance of power in the region, causing concern within the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The report, however, relies heavily on unverified online sources and presents a speculative assessment of the aircraft's capabilities.
The report, presented by host Raza Khan, suggests that the J-35A, a fifth-generation fighter jet still under development by China, possesses advanced stealth capabilities that would allow it to outperform India's current frontline fighters, the MiG-29 and Su-30MKI.
The MiG-29, introduced to the IAF in the 1980s, is an air superiority fighter, while the Su-30MKI is a multirole combat aircraft that constitutes a major part of India's air power.
The 24 News HD segment, citing a discussion from a Reddit-based Indian defence community, asserted the J-35A's superior radar-evading design and modern electronics would give it a critical advantage.
A particularly strong claim made in the report is that India's S-400 Triumph air defence system, purchased from Russia, would be unable to detect and intercept the J-35A.
The S-400 is considered one of the most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile systems globally, designed to engage a variety of aerial targets, including those with some stealth features.
While stealth technology significantly reduces an aircraft's radar signature, making it harder to detect, no aircraft is completely "invisible" to radar. The S-400's effectiveness depends on various factors, including the target's radar cross-section, engagement range, and environmental conditions.
It's important to note that 24 News HD primarily cited a Reddit thread as the basis for its claims about Indian concerns. While online defence forums can provide a space for discussion, they are not always reliable sources of verified information. Statements made on such platforms often reflect personal opinions or speculation, rather than official assessments.
The J-35 (also referred to as the FC-31 Gyrfalcon in its export variant) is still undergoing development and testing. Its full operational capabilities, and therefore its performance against existing air defence systems and fighter jets, remain to be seen.
The aircraft has not yet entered full service with either the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) or any foreign military. Definitive conclusions about its combat effectiveness are premature.
Experts, in general, call to take claims made without real world data with pinch of salt. While it poses a threat, calling other fighter jets absolute without data is far fetched.
