- China unveiled the J-35, its second 5th generation stealth fighter jet, in 2024
- Pakistan plans to buy 40 J-35s, specifically the FC-31 variant, later this year
- The J-35 has advanced stealth features with a radar cross-section comparable to the F-35
In November 2024 China unveiled the J-35 - its second 5th generation stealth fighter. A twin-engine, single-seater supersonic jet for multirole missions, the J-35 boasts advanced avionics, including an active electronically scanned array, an electro-optical targeting system, and infrared search-and-track.
The Global Times, the Chinese government's mouthpiece, described the J-35 - compared to the United States' F-35, the world's most expensive fighter jet - as functioning within a stealth and counter-stealth combat framework to gain and maintain air superiority, while eliminating air defence forces".
And Pakistan, which also has 20 Chinese J-10C and JF-17 fighters, will reportedly buy 40 J-35s, with the first units expected later this year, pushing it into an elite club operating stealth fighter jets.
READ | 40 China J-35 Stealth Fighters For Pak, India's 5th Gen Decade Away
Pak will get the toned-down FC-31 but it will still be a stealth jet and India has none.
Why should India worry?
Because India does not have a stealth fighter. Because Islamabad's purchase of 5th generation aircraft might shift the balance of air power, at least till Delhi can catch up.
The J-35 is considered a 'black box' because of the lack of data on its capabilities, but its performance is seen as similar to, and even better than, the US' F-35.
But the J-35 has never seen combat.
Now, first-look images of the J-35, as the FC-31, surfaced in August 2024. There were two variants - a Navy one and another for conventional ground-based operations and export.
The Shenyang J-35A on show in Beijing (File).
Pak will likely get the second, which reportedly has the infrared search-and-track in its nose.
The jet, China Daily said, can also 'share targets' position with other weapon systems, like surface-to-air missiles, and use its radar to guide other weapons to bring the targets down'.
But the big feature here, of course, is the stealth capability.
The J-35 reportedly has a radar cross-section of 0.001 sq m, which is comparable to the F-35, and which will make Pak's new fighter jet very difficult to detect in combat scenarios with India.
This means India will take longer to detect the jets as it approaches the border.
A prototype of India's new 5th-gen stealth fighter, the AMCA (File).
There is another point of concern.
With China and Pak both operating stealth fighters, India's air defences could come under severe pressure in the event of multi-front hostilities.
This means Delhi must address the gap, starting with upgrading existing air defence systems and bring in 5th generation jets of its own, homemade or otherwise.
J-35 buy shows chink in India's Armour?
India does not have a 5th generation stealth fighter.
This is under development - an 'execution model', under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme was cleared last month by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
NDTV Explains | Everything About India's New 5th-Generation Stealth Fighter
But the AMCA jet will not patrol India's skies before 2035 at least.
Between then and now India, aviation combat experts told NDTV, should be worried.
The Indian Air Force has long had an edge over Pak when it comes to air superiority, an advantage emphasised by Delhi's recent acquisition of the French-made Rafales.
By 2031 India will have 60+ Rafale fighter jets patroling skies above its land and seas (File).
The J-35 deliveries (well, technically the FC-31) threaten to narrow that advantage.
"It is worrying news," Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat (retd.), a former fighter pilot, told NDTV, "... any version of the J-35 in Pakistani colours is going to raise concerns for our side."
India did consider the purchase option; the F-35 and the Su-57 were on the table.
However, these are "bad choices", Group Captain Ahlawat said. "The only good choice is AMCA," he said and called for a "national mission-mode push" to get it in service ASAP.
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