Mulvaney said the move puts the Pakistan Air Force ahead of the Indian Air Force.
New Delhi: China’s fifth generation stealth fighter J-35 will enter the international market as the country’s best friend Pakistan may become the first buyer of this fighter. Recently, the government of Pakistan had agreed to buy Chinese J-35 fighter jets. 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 the Pakistan 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 aging fleet of F-16 and French Mirage fighter jets, media reported last week. The Chinese fighter jets 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 fighters in China. The J-31’s internationally sold version is called the J-35. In January this year, Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar had said that the groundwork for acquiring the J-31 stealth aircraft has been laid.
Pakistan’s power will increase
After the acquisition of the J-35 stealth fighter, 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 Pakistan Air Force. Brendan Mulvaney, head 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 US and France to China.
How will it affect India?
Mulvaney said the move ties Pakistan closer to China and puts the Pakistan Air Force ahead of the Indian Air Force (IAF). He said it also depends on how well they can fly and fighting with the Chinese jets is another matter. The jet’s performance will depend on how Beijing provides the appropriate weapons and support systems with it.
“The jet can be excellent, but if it doesn’t have weapons, sensor suites and command, control, computer intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) technology, it doesn’t make sense,” Mulvaney said.
