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A proposed landmark defence deal for China to supply Pakistan with advanced J-35A stealth fighter jets has reportedly stalled over Beijing's insistence on unprecedented security protocols.
Citing fears of espionage, China is demanding a monitoring system similar to the one the United States employs for Pakistan's F-16 fleet, a move aimed at preventing its sensitive military technology from being accessed by American personnel.
The potential agreement, which gained public attention in June 2025, involves the sale of 40 J-35A fifth-generation fighters, along with KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft and HQ-19 air defence systems.
Reports, including a now-deleted social media post from a Pakistani government account, suggested the comprehensive package was offered at a nearly 50% discount, valued at approximately $4.6 billion, with deliveries possibly commencing as early as August 2025.
However, the deal's progress has been complicated by China's demand for direct oversight. Intelligence sources indicate Beijing is concerned about Pakistan's deepening defence relationship with Washington.
The United States currently maintains strict End-User Agreements (EUAs) on the 76 F-16 jets it has supplied to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
These agreements, which include the presence of U.S. ground staff at Pakistani airbases like Mushaf and Shahbaz, are designed to control the jets' deployment and prevent unauthorised parties, particularly China, from examining their sensitive avionics, such as the APG-68 radar.
China now seeks a similar arrangement for its J-35A jets, fearing that PAF officials might grant U.S. personnel access to the aircraft, thereby compromising its proprietary stealth technology.
Adding to the uncertainty, Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has recently and publicly dismissed the acquisition plans. In late June interviews, he labelled media reports about the J-35A induction as "hype" and denied any imminent deal.
These statements represent an abrupt reversal from earlier indications that the deal was in an advanced stage, which included an image released by China’s Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) showing a PAF pilot in a J-35A cockpit, suggesting pilot training was underway.
This contradiction has fuelled speculation that the negotiations have been troubled by China's monitoring demands or financial disagreements.
The acquisition of the J-35A is considered strategically significant, as it would provide the PAF with a fifth-generation fighter capability, offering a temporary advantage over the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is not expected to field its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) until approximately 2030.
However, recent analysis from Air Forces Monthly suggests Pakistan may not be the first export customer. An unnamed nation, possibly Egypt or Algeria, is reportedly being prioritised for the initial production models, which could delay any deliveries to Pakistan until 2026 or later.
This potential delay, combined with reported backlash on Chinese social media over the steep discount and concerns about Pakistan's payment history, highlights growing financial and strategic tensions surrounding the deal.
