By political analyst Igor Korotchenko
According to senior officials of the Pakistan Air Force, China has decided to begin delivering fifth-generation J-35A fighter jets—produced by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC)—to Islamabad six months ahead of the original schedule.
As a result, Islamabad is expected to receive the first batch of aircraft in the first quarter of 2026.
The adjustment of the delivery timeline is interpreted as a response to rising regional tensions and reflects Beijing’s intent to strengthen capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force.
According to retired Air Commodore of the Pakistan Air Force, Zia Ul Haq Shamsi, the arrival of the J-35A fleet will provide Pakistan with a “12–14 year advantage” in terms of possessing fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
It was revealed in December 2024 that Pakistan had ordered 40 J-35A fighters from China for its national air force. Reports indicated that deliveries were to begin within the next 24 months.
At that time, Pakistani Air Force pilots were already undergoing training in China to operate the aircraft.
According to expert assessments, India, despite maintaining a larger air fleet, needs to accelerate its plans for modernizing the country’s air force. This includes both advancing its own program (a fifth-generation fighter within the framework of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft – AMCA, with the first aircraft expected to enter service around 2035), and upgrading already existing modern platforms such as the Rafale and Su-30MKI, as well as the possible acquisition of a fifth-generation fighter that is already in serial production, for example, the Russian Su-57E.
China publicly unveiled its new fifth-generation J-35A fighter at the Zhuhai Airshow, held from November 12 to 17, 2024. Russia’s Su-57E was also demonstrated at the same event.
It is worth noting that in 2021, the Pakistan Air Force purchased a total of 25 fourth-generation J-10CE fighters from China.
The induction ceremony for the first batch of six such aircraft was held by the Pakistan Air Force command at Minhas Air Base in Kamra on March 11, 2022.
