FC 31 Pakistan Receives Stealth Fighter Jets
The deal finalized in June 2025 marks a significant upgrade for the Pakistan Air Force, with the J-35A expected to arrive within months, equipped with advanced PL-17 air-to-air missiles, giving it a long-range strike capability of around 400 kilometers, and cementing the growing defense cooperation between Pakistan and China.
Pakistani pilots are undergoing training with Chinese instructors in Gilgit Baltistan on advanced J-35A stealth fighter jets, signaling a significant escalation in defense cooperation between Pakistan and China, with far-reaching implications for regional dynamics.
The training program is part of a broader pattern of Chinese military support to Pakistan, which includes the acquisition of 30 J-35A stealth fighter jets at a reported 50% discount. The J-35A is a modern stealth fighter designed to compete with advanced aircraft like India's Rafale and Su-30 MKI. This development is seen as a focused effort to prepare for high-intensity aerial operations, potentially in response to recent India-Pakistan clashes.
Pakistan is set to start inducting the Shenyang FC-31 'Gyrfalcon' multirole stealth fighter aircraft from China, with the first aircraft expected to arrive within months. Pakistani pilots are currently undergoing training in China to operate the aircraft, which will be equipped with China's PL-17 air-to-air missile. The exact number of aircraft to be supplied and the terms of the deal remain undisclosed.
The presence of Chinese military trainers in Gilgit Baltistan signals an escalation of Beijing's military engagement in a region that India claims as part of its territory, further complicating the already tense India-Pakistan relationship. The acquisition of the J-35A is seen as a significant step in defense cooperation between Pakistan and China, with the FC-31 expected to become the first major Chinese military platform to be inducted by Pakistan following the recent conflict with India.
As Pakistan's Air Force prepares to induct the new stealth fighter jets, the region is likely to witness a significant shift in the balance of power, with potential implications for the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India. The induction of the FC-31 and J-35A is expected to bolster the Pakistan Air Force, enhancing its capabilities and preparedness for high-intensity aerial operations.