China to supply 40 J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets to Pakistan

With the J-35 induction, Pakistan will join a small group of countries operating stealth technology.

The Indian Air Force (IAF), which does not have any stealth fighters in operational service, is still at least a decade away from inducting its indigenous fifth-generation stealth aircraft - the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

According to official estimates, the AMCA's induction might be around 2035.

The FC-31 is an export variant of the J-35 and is widely considered to possess reduced capability compared to the frontline aircraft serving the People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force (PLANAF).

How it will affect India?

The IAF has long maintained air superiority over Pakistan, based on superior training, tactics, and a more diversified inventory.

However, with the J-35 deliveries, Pakistan will soon narrow the gap.

Group Captain (Retd.) Ajay Ahlawat, a former IAF fighter pilot and defence analyst, told NDTV that the development is not a surprise as Pakistani pilots have been training in China.

"Pakistan receiving these jets is not a surprise at all because their team of nominated fighter pilots have been in China for more than six months," he told the news channel.

"They were training on the type before they were inducted. It was reported that the version that China will give to Pakistan is the FC-31, a slightly toned-down version of the J-35, which is practised across the globe. Nobody gives the full version," he added.