Mulvaney said the move puts the Pakistani Air Force ahead of the Indian Air Force.
New Delhi: China’s fifth-generation stealth fighter J-35 is set to enter the international market as the country’s best friend Pakistan can be the first buyer of this fighter. Recently, the government of Pakistan had agreed to the purchase of Chinese J-35 fighters. It would be Beijing’s first export of fifth-generation jets to a foreign ally, which could redefine the balance of power in the region. The addition of this aircraft in Pakistan’s air force is likely to increase India’s security concerns.
Pakistan to buy Chinese jet
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has approved the purchase of 40 J-35 jets to replace the country’s ageing fleet of F-16 and French Mirage fighter jets, the media reported last week. The Chinese fighter aircraft are expected to be delivered within two years.
In July this year, Pakistani news network Bol News had reported that PAF pilots had officially started training for J-31 stealth fighter jets in China. The J-31’s internationally sold version is called the J-35. In January this year, Pakistani Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar had said that the foundation for acquiring the J-31 stealth fighter has been laid.
Pakistan’s power will increase
After the acquisition of the J-35 stealth fighter aircraft, the strength of the Pakistan Air Force is expected to increase further. Two years ago, several Chinese J-10CE Multi Role Fighter jets joined the Pakistani Air Force. Brendan Mulvaney, director of the China Aerospace Studies Institute of the US Air Force, told the South China Morning Post that he saw this development as a clear shift from the West, the USA and France to China.
How will it affect India?
Mulvaney said the move connects Pakistan more closely with China and puts the Pakistani Air Force ahead of the Indian Air Force (IAF). He said it also depends on how well they can fly and fight with the Chinese jets is a different matter. The performance of the jet will depend on how Beijing provides the appropriate weapons and support systems with it.
“The jet may be excellent, but if it doesn’t have weapons, sensor suites, and command, control, computer intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technology (C4ISR), it doesn’t make sense,” Mulvaney said.
