Pakistan to Acquire J-35 Stealth Jets from China within Next 24 Months, Claims 7-8 Year Edge over India Until AMCA Arrives in 2035

Pakistan has reportedly cleared the procurement of the advanced J-35 fighter jet from China, with deliveries expected to commence within the next 24 months. This significant development, reported by 24 News HD, marks a major modernization effort by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and is seen as a critical step in bolstering Pakistan's air combat capabilities. PAF pilots are reportedly already undergoing training on the new platform.

The J-35 is China's latest 5th-generation stealth fighter, designed as a carrier-based aircraft but adaptable for land-based operations. It incorporates advanced stealth features, modern avionics, and a robust sensor suite, making it a formidable opponent in the skies. Equipped with AESA radar, internal weapons bays, and high maneuverability, the J-35 is expected to enhance the PAF's ability to conduct a wide range of missions, from air superiority to deep-strike operations.

According to the report, the J-35 is projected to outperform India's current frontline fighters, including the Rafale and Su-30MKI. The report suggests that the J-35's stealth characteristics and advanced avionics provide a qualitative edge that will persist until the Indian Air Force (IAF) inducts the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) around 2035.

This timeline could potentially give Pakistan a 7–8 year head start with 5th-generation capabilities, although such claims remain contingent on the operational readiness and tactical integration of the J-35 within the PAF.

The induction of the J-35 would mark a significant leap in the PAF's capabilities, as the force has historically relied on 4th-generation platforms like the JF-17 Thunder and F-16 Fighting Falcon. The J-35 would complement these aircraft, adding stealth and next-generation features that enhance survivability and lethality.

While the IAF remains a superior force in terms of overall fleet size, diversity, and experience, the induction of the J-35 poses new challenges. India's response will likely involve accelerating the development of indigenous platforms like the AMCA and continuing to upgrade existing assets, including the Rafale and Su-30MKI, with advanced sensors, weapons, and electronic warfare systems.

 

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[Radium]

It took India 40 years to produce the third generation Tejas fighter jet. It's hard to imagine that India can produce 5th generation fighter jets within 10 years

 

[R. Singh]

Better we buy Su-57 or F-35 !

 

[sanket]

J-35 is not yet battle-tested and contingent on operational readiness and tactical integration. Also, there is no clarity on its AESA radar, whether it is GaAs or GaN-based, or its weapon package. Chinese BVR with the export model has a range of 145 km. Bharat should think about Su-57 for 2 or 3 squadrons.

 

[Anonymus]

I want Pakistan to acquire the J-35A as it will wake our sleeping system.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

The news is most probably true; China always does that with its all-weather Pak friend. It will definitely be an advantage to Pakistan, no doubt. But our offense is the best defense. We will lose some fighters. We have to get the AESA version of the EL-8222 Scorpius jammer to counter the AESA radar of the J-35. Once the J-35 uses its radar, it will no longer be stealthy. We can always terminate the J-35s by hitting the HAS where they will be housed with the LORA airborne fighter missile. It's more powerful than the Rampage missile. The Rampage missiles can also do the job perfectly. The J-35 has to land, and we can hit that shelter. Unless the J-35 is housed in underground shelters, it is very vulnerable. Even then, the LORA will get them due to its extremely high velocity and its capacity to dive vertically 90 degrees to penetrate deep underground before exploding. So are our fighters if they use the same kind of weapon to hit our air bases.

The LORA airborne ballistic missile has been recently used by Israel in the attack on Iranian air bases and S-300 missile sites. Nothing could stop them. Iran got shocked and toned down its rhetoric after reality hit them, as all their air defense sites of S-300 SAMs were taken out. Effectively today, Iran is without any air defense. Such is the capability of the LORA missile. It is being produced by BEL with Israeli cooperation. This is our answer to the J-35. Not to worry too much.

 

[Nobody In here]

AMCA will not see the light of the day before 2045 at the earliest, by that time the Chinese would be using 8 gen fighters and each Sukhoi & Rafale will be sitting ducks having to face stealth jets like J-20, J-35, H-20, FC-31 in a minimum ratio of 1:10

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

I want Pakistan to acquire the J-35A as it will wake our sleeping system.

The sleeping system will wake up and order another 36 Rafaels, otherwise it may bend over to US for F35. Nothing much will happen. People in govt are pretty sure that we aren't going to fight any major war in next 20 years.

 

[Man-ju]

Kind of makes sense as this pressure of Pakistan possession of 5th gen Chinese jet (even though with fake capabilities) will put pressure on our lethargic PSU's like HAL and ADA to perform. Don't fall for the trap and never buy any foreign 5th gen jet off the shelf. Continue with plans of indegenisation.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

This is the price India has to pay due to the "tarikh pe tarikh" habit. In my analysis:

• It is possible for China to produce and send 1 or 2 within the next 24 months because of no order backlog, no sanctions, and no supply chain issues.
• Whereas, if we order the Su-57, it may take a few years. If we order the F-35, it may also take 3 years (hypothetical scenario).

While the J-35 may not be an F-35 in terms of quality and sophistication, it could be more than what Pakistan is currently fielding. India, no matter how fast it is chasing AMCA, is already too late. By the time AMCA is inducted, Pakistan might be already fielding a few squadrons of the Block B version of the J-35 with improved specs and stealth, and China might be already fielding a few squadrons of 6th gen. fighters.

 

[M S ChatterjiVerified member]

Greater bankruptcy will result as more and more copied and reverse engineered hardware is purchased by Pakistan. That suits India well

 

[Ayyadurai Namasivayam]

No problem. Our rafale will defeat even 7th gen chinese fighter jets. Chinese technologies are not on par with western countries.

 

[M S ChatterjiVerified member]

J-35 is not yet battle-tested and contingent on operational readiness and tactical integration. Also, there is no clarity on its AESA radar, whether it is GaAs or GaN-based, or its weapon package. Chinese BVR with the export model has a range of 145 km. Bharat should think about Su-57 for 2 or 3 squadrons.

Overconfident Chinese and their propagandist brothers in Pakistan imagine that all is well with J-35. No it is not. Moreover nobody has seen it other than Pakistani friends, hence it is far away from battle ready.

 

[David Jones]

Do not worry as USA has F-35 which is still 100 times better than the Chinese variant. However to get US protection India needs to mend its ways and stop being an irritant to USA in its Asia Pacific policy. The writing is clear, India cannot got at it alone and will need a strong and trustworthy partner like USA. The quicker the Indian polity realizes, the better for everyone.

 

[tipoo2]

The sleeping system will wake up and order another 36 Rafaels, otherwise it may bend over to US for F35. Nothing much will happen. People in govt are pretty sure that we aren't going to fight any major war in next 20 years.

I'd take the bending over instead of having a qualitative gap with our near term problems and immediate neighbours for the next decades. Even once we get the first AMCA that's not an immediate closure of the stealth gap, that's just starting to get our first squadrons while China is building 100 a year and will accelerate after switching to the WS15 and will probably be well into flying 6th gen prototypes by then.

The F35 would at least take that boot off our neck for a while and be the qualitative stealth champ in the region for quite some time.

 

[PARASHURAM]

Hold back a little. The S400 awaits your hunt. We know your bravery in war. First learn to feed your people.

 

[Kira]

In a way, this may be true as depending how actually capable and potent the J-35 may be, it may provide the PAF much needed technical edge against the Rafale and the MKI.

 

[TETRA]

Nothing is tested in battlefield as on date. Neither Tejas. Or even Rafael. We have to rely on tested units and hope for performance of the new units. Probably our missiles can decide the edge.

 

[Dr]

This aircraft has never taken to sky or have any combat record & Pakistan is bleeding from J17 problems day dreaming & big claims have no takers

 

[Andy]

Our policy makers will freeze MRFA tender by 2030. But at least our armed forces are used to defeating enemy with sub par stuff.

 

[Rational Guy]

The sleeping system will wake up and order another 36 Rafaels, otherwise it may bend over to US for F35. Nothing much will happen. People in govt are pretty sure that we aren't going to fight any major war in next 20 years.

Yuh that seems to be the case which is why the government is focusing more on things like infrastructure etc rather than defence.

 

[Ankit Singhal]

It is unfortunate truth that Pakistan always had one step edge in defense but we are big nation with big economy still can't keep our defense armed forced 10 steps ahead atleast with this kind of neighbor. Why our defense procurement process is too slow? we should go ahead & buy su-57 and buy 72 rafale to close gap asap but again we will think & take years to decide outdated 4.5 generation technology...

 

[Koorma]

A few really good radars on the border with Pakistan is sufficient.
In fact India must monitor day and night every movement of Pakistani fighter aircrafts. Unfortunately, ISRO is still not able to make such satellite with live stream.

 

[Sudha]

Yuh that seems to be the case which is why the government is focusing more on things like infrastructure etc rather than defence.

Without a strong economy there will be no strong military. Look at begger Pakistan to get a picture. Infras are the requirement for a stronger economy.

 

[Sudha]

AMCA will not see the light of the day before 2045 at the earliest, by that time the Chinese would be using 8 gen fighters and each Sukhoi & Rafale will be sitting ducks having to face stealth jets like J-20, J-35, H-20, FC-31 in a minimum ratio of 1:10

How do you define 8th gen?🤔

 

[Sudha]

Do not worry as USA has F-35 which is still 100 times better than the Chinese variant. However to get US protection India needs to mend its ways and stop being an irritant to USA in its Asia Pacific policy.

Trust worthy party like USA?😀😃😄😁😆😅🤣 Look at the fate of ukraine to know how trust worthy US is!! US plays a proxy war of destroying Russia sacrificing Ukrainian lives.

 

[Sudha]

One need not worry too much. Bharat will be developing radars to detect stealth aircrafts & our missiles will finish off the aircrafts. DRDOs division for radars & missiles are excellent.

 

[Lakshay Gahlan]

If it's true the best solution would be to buy limited F-35 in limited numbers say 2-3 squadrons to cater to our immediate security needs and focus on domestic AMCA program

 

[Shiva]

One hypersonic missile (which costs 1 crore) is sufficinet to destroy one F-35 when it is cleverly used along with Rafael/Su-30MKI/Tejas/AMCA or infact with any 4th , 4.5 or 5th Gen aircraft. key is the hypersonic capabilities.

If a country has hypersonic capabilities, then they will have some secrete missiles, defintiely some ofthem will be air to air and will be launched from their aircrafts and they will do the destruction of all enemy aircrafts, aircraft carriers, naval bases, airports.

All these products, offered in market, are mere, a corporate defense strategies to push other ocuntries to purchase their products and with that money, develop next generation technology.

Countries like Pakistan, start purchase them
Previously India also used to purchase.
But now, India moved to next level.

 

[Bhishma]

AMCA will not see the light of the day before 2045 at the earliest, by that time the Chinese would be using 8 gen fighters and each Sukhoi & Rafale will be sitting ducks having to face stealth jets like J-20, J-35, H-20, FC-31 in a minimum ratio of 1:10

By 2045, 90% of China will be full of 80+ grandpas.