A recent claim by a retired Pakistani military official that Pakistan would become the world's fourth nation to operate fifth-generation fighter jets has been widely refuted.
Retired Brigadier Masood Ahmed Khan asserted that the acquisition of China's J-35A fighter would grant Pakistan this status, a statement that has been met with considerable skepticism.
Khan's assertion is demonstrably false. While he suggested Pakistan would join only the United States, Russia, and China in possessing fifth-generation aircraft, he overlooked the widespread deployment of the American-made F-35 Lightning II. The F-35, a proven fifth-generation stealth fighter, is currently operational in numerous countries.
According to Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35, the aircraft is currently in service with multiple nations, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Israel, and South Korea.
Other nations that are use it include, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Poland and Singapore, along with the United States. This significantly contradicts Khan's claim, placing Pakistan much further down the list of fifth-generation aircraft operators.
The basis of Khan's confidence lies in the expected delivery of the J-35A, a twin-engine stealth fighter developed by China's Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. Pakistan has reportedly approved the purchase of 40 J-35A jets, with deliveries potentially starting within the next two years.
This would represent China's first export of a fifth-generation fighter. Khan believes this aircraft's stealth capabilities and advanced avionics would give Pakistan an advantage over regional rivals, particularly the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Khan specifically stated, "The J-35A will be superior in the region and will force the Indian Air Force to sit out of any possible conflict on Kashmir." However, defense analysts and commentators have largely dismissed this assertion, citing the J-35A's untested combat record compared to established platforms like the F-35. Furthermore, India is actively modernizing its air force.
The brigadier's "fourth nation" claim has been heavily criticized both online and within defense circles. Many have pointed out the obvious discrepancy, highlighting the large number of existing F-35 operators.
Concerns have also been raised, even within Pakistan, about the J-35A's actual capabilities. Although the aircraft boasts stealth features and a respectable operational range (reportedly 1,200 km, extendable with refueling), its effectiveness hinges on the technology China is willing to provide.
Historically, China has limited the most advanced technologies in export versions of its military hardware. For example, the exported J-10CE fighter jet features a downgraded AESA radar and a shorter-range version of the PL-15 missile compared to the one used by the Chinese Air Force. The exported PL-15E is limited to 145km compared to PL-15's 200km-plus range.
Moreover, Khan's claim appears to disregard India's ongoing air force modernization program.
The IAF currently operates 36 Rafale jets, considered 4.5-generation fighters, and is upgrading its Su-30MKI fleet. These upgrades include the advanced Virupaksha AESA radar and the Astra MkIII, a beyond-visual-range missile with a reported range of 300-350 km.
India is also developing its own fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), with prototypes expected within the next decade. This, combined with India's S-400 air defense system, suggests the IAF is unlikely to be sidelined in any potential conflict.
