Pakistan Plans Entirely 5th-Gen Fighter Jet Fleet by 2047 with Indigenous Project Azm, Chinese J-31 and Turkish KAAN

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is undertaking a significant modernization effort, aiming to operate a fleet composed entirely of fifth-generation fighter jets by 2047.

This plan is part of Pakistan's broader defence strategy to ensure air superiority in the region. The PAF's strategy includes three primary fifth-generation fighter programs.

The cornerstone of the PAF's modernization is Project Azm, a domestic fifth-generation fighter jet program led by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP). Initiated in 2017, Project Azm's objective is to create an advanced, stealth-capable fighter jet equipped with next-generation avionics, enhanced sensor integration, and domestically produced weapons systems.

While specific details about the project's progress remain confidential, Pakistan is reportedly working with China and Turkey to acquire necessary technology and expertise.

A key element in Pakistan's transition to a fifth-generation air force is the possible acquisition of the Chinese Shenyang FC-31 (also known as the J-31) fighter jet.

The FC-31, comparable to the American F-35, features stealth technology, sophisticated avionics, and the ability to perform a variety of combat roles. The J-31 first flew in 2012, and has been undergoing continuous development and upgrades.

China and Pakistan have a long history of close defence cooperation, highlighted by their joint development of the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet. Should Pakistan proceed with acquiring the FC-31, it would provide the PAF with an immediate fifth-generation capability, considerably enhancing its air combat strength.

The ongoing improvements to the J-31 platform by China suggest that any Pakistani version could be customized to meet the PAF's specific operational needs.

Another pathway for the PAF to realize its fifth-generation ambitions is through collaboration with Turkey on its TF-X (KAAN) fighter program, currently under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

Turkey, having faced challenges in obtaining Western fifth-generation aircraft due to political factors, has focused on developing its own indigenous fighter.

Pakistan's strong defence relationship with Turkey opens the possibility of a partnership on the TF-X, offering the PAF another option. The KAAN had its maiden flight in February 2024.

There have been reports of Pakistan and Turkey exploring collaboration in aerospace technologies, including stealth design and advanced flight control systems.

If Pakistan were to join the TF-X program, it could gain access to advanced fifth-generation fighter technology relatively early, further broadening the diversity of its fighter fleet.

The PAF's vision of an entirely fifth-generation fighter fleet by 2047 signifies a major change in its air combat strategy, with a greater emphasis on stealth capabilities, the merging of sensor data, and network-centric operations. However, realizing this vision will not be without difficulties:

• Financial Challenges: The development and purchase of fifth-generation fighters require significant financial resources, potentially putting a strain on Pakistan's defence spending.
• Technological Challenges: Developing stealth technology, cutting-edge avionics, and domestically produced engines requires substantial research and development, as well as collaboration with other countries.
• Operational Challenges: Shifting from a mixed fleet of aircraft to an all-fifth-generation force will necessitate extensive pilot training, infrastructure improvements, and new logistical support systems.

Despite these obstacles, the PAF's step-by-step approach – a combination of domestic development, procurement from other countries, and strategic partnerships – indicates a carefully planned progression towards its 2047 objective.

 

[Ashish Sandhu]

No major concern as it will take time to 2047. AMCA may be production ready by 2035 and TEDBF by 2038.

 

[ronaldc]

Can a beggar nation afford such dreams - fools living hand to mouth on IMF aid.

 

[Somebody]

We can fight with those with Bison, Jaguar and Mirage.

 

[ryan]

With this plan, Only thing is by 2047 there will be no "pakistan" left in the PAF

 

[Sudha]

Good let them purchase it by paying through their nose, which Bharat can destroy with radars which can even detect stealth aircrafts.

 

[Dredd]

Pakistan will be the only country in the world with only 5th-gen fighters in 2047. They may also induct stealth trainers and stealth transport planes. Pilots will also paint themselves with stealth paint to avoid detection when they bail out if they get hit by Tejas MK1s.

 

[Bhishma]

LOL. Do they even have any strategic thinkers left there? Stealth jets have one advantage: stealth. At the expense of load-carrying capacity. It's not suitable for an all-out brawl. So a mix of stealth jets + non-stealth jets is always needed. Something like a 30% stealth vs. 70% non-stealth mix. If they go with 100% stealth, good for us. Not even the US has this 100% stealth vision. They have had stealth for about three decades now.

 

[P2S2]

Pakistan will be the only country in the world with only 5th-gen fighters in 2047. They may also induct stealth trainers and stealth transport planes. Pilots will also paint themselves with stealth paint to avoid detection when they bail out if they get hit by Tejas MK1s.

They'll be spared, assisted professionally as they were in the east. Chinggis Kaan's descendants have been born again into opposing faiths which are at each other's throats. Some converts have switched back to pork and some have been forced in order to stay alive in East Turkmenistan as were Hindus in Mughal Bharat. Religions are going to be making adjustments to their codes of practice and unify themselves. Humanity is going to merge knowledge. A lingering Mughal Empire of Pakistan and Turkeye is dependent on tricking other forces into providing resources for their dreams of creating a strong Turkic Empire in Russian territories. Zoroastrian and Chinese forces are a stumbling block. They are wasting their peoples time trying to convince enemies to bankroll them and provide technologies that they can switch around and use against them. It may or may not happen. Bharat could start assisting peoples of Greater Bharat to prosper for the common good. Imran Khan may not disappear and rise up from the ashes. Our job is to provide security professionally which we are managing successfully with adjacent brothers in arms.

 

[Bks kumar]

Airborne anti stealth aircraft radar if got introduced, then the concept of 5th gen stealth jet will become completely useless. Hopefully it will be introduced fastly.

 

[P2S2]

Airborne anti stealth aircraft radar if got introduced, then the concept of 5th gen stealth jet will become completely useless. Hopefully it will be introduced fastly.

Assuming present technologies are already outdated isn't far off the mark. Speed of developments is staggering.

 

[MSN]

Is the author sure of his claims?
Today, Pakistan lacks any industrial or indigenous technical background or skilful and experience in human resources, which makes one wonder how it is possible to achieve in next 20 years.
Even reverse engineering requires a certain technical background and capabilities.

 

[P2S2]

LOL. Do they even have any strategic thinkers left there? Stealth jets have one advantage: stealth. At the expense of load-carrying capacity. It's not suitable for an all-out brawl. So a mix of stealth jets + non-stealth jets is always needed. Something like a 30% stealth vs. 70% non-stealth mix. If they go with 100% stealth, good for us. Not even the US has this 100% stealth vision. They have had stealth for about three decades now.

They're hoping double dealing doesn't have consequences in this multi polar world. The only player they can be sure of is Turkiye which needs Pakistani manpower as pawns to develop Kaan, make sacrifices in to assist with it's big power ambitions. Those ambitions are at logger heads with all other players. China wouldn't destabilise Russia and its own territory by doing anything that assists a Turkic Empire in Central Asia. Pakistan's usefulness to China is destabilise India out of fear of India joining attempts destabilising China. Double dealing is running out of time. America stopped providing latest technology to both Turkiye and Pakistan. In the short term it could stop encouraging Central Asia. China may do the same. It is going to depend heavily upon their own efforts and funding whatever they are capable of. The Arabs have their own separate interests and will lump Pakistan into the Turkiye camp. They may stop funding both because they wouldn’t want enmity with Russia. Russia may yet strengthen and put a stop to this nonsense and move southwards into or through Afghanistan to the Indian Ocean. 2047 may be reached through interesting times.

 

[P2S2]

Is the author sure of his claims?
Today, Pakistan lacks any industrial or indigenous technical background or skilful and experience in human resources, which makes one wonder how it is possible to achieve in next 20 years.
Even reverse engineering requires a certain technical background and capabilities.

Probably Trump could have signalled something. He's going to move back into Afghanistan refilling the vacuum at ex soviet Bagram airbase. Depends what Putin will do. India should lean on Russia and Ukraine to stop the silly war which is weakening the world.