In a significant development, China has offered Pakistan its highly advanced 40 fifth-generation Shenyang J-35 (FC 31) aircraft, KJ 500 AEW&C, and the modern HQ-19 anti-ballistic missile defence system.
Social media rumours started gaining clout last month that Pakistan would be getting an expedited delivery of Chinese J-35 or FC 31 aircraft amidst rising Indian aggression on the Eastern border.
However, the government of Pakistan officially announced the crucial defence deal on June 6 in a post on X (formerly Twitter): “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif {@CMShehbaz}, Pakistan has achieved several great diplomatic achievements, including the offer of 40 fifth-generation J-35 stealth aircraft, KJ-500 AWACS, HQ-19 defense systems from China and the deferment of $3.7 billion in debt.”
Moreover, it was also revealed that at least 100,000 Pakistani youth would be trained in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Technology (IT) in China.
Highlighting the success of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s diplomacy, the official page of GOP on X also announced that Pakistan’s ally Azerbaijan signed a “$2 billion investment and $4.6 billion defense deal to purchase 40 Pakistani JF-17 aircraft, while Pakistan-Iran trade is expected to grow from $3 to $10 billion.”
What is the FC-31 or J-35 stealth aircraft?
The Shenyang J-35 or FC 31 is a single-seater, twin-engine, all-weather, stealth multirole combat aircraft manufactured by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), designed for air superiority and surface strike missions.
It should be noted that FC-31 was the initial prototype, which ultimately became the J-35. The J35 fighter jet is a more stealthy, advanced, and refined version of FC 31.
The J-35 jet is also known as the Gyrfalcon, a fifth-generation fighter that would make the PAF dominate and protect its airspace.
Many experts have opined that PAF acquiring all modern J-35s would allow the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to move decades ahead of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
When India purchased the reputable French-made Rafale jets, it had created an imbalance in the South Asia region.
Despite not having fifth-generation aircraft, the PAF locked and destroyed 6 Indian aircraft while jamming their jets on the night of May 6-7.
