• Source:JND
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Pakistan's government announced this month that China has offered to supply it with cutting-edge military hardware, including 40 J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets and HQ-19 ballistic missile defence systems. The proposed arms deal comes in the wake of a brief but intense military conflict between Pakistan and India in early May.

What are stealth fighter jets?

Stealth aircraft are designed to avoid detection using a variety of technologies that reduce reflection or emission of radar, infrared, visible light, radio frequency spectrum, and audio. The collective feature in a fighter aircraft is known as stealth technology.

From May 7 to May 10, the nuclear-armed neighbours engaged in a four-day confrontation involving artillery exchanges, drone strikes, fighter jets, and missile attacks.

In the weeks following the ceasefire, both nations have accelerated efforts to modernise their militaries. On June 7, Pakistan’s government revealed via its official X account that China has also offered to sell KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft, in addition to the J-35 fighters and HQ-19 missile systems.

“Under Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan has achieved several major diplomatic breakthroughs including the offer of 40 fifth-generation J-35 stealth aircraft, KJ-500 AWACS, HQ-19 defence systems from China, and the deferment of $3.7 billion in debt,” the government wrote.

Strategic Significance of New Arms

The J-35 stealth fighter, developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and first showcased at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, is designed for deep-penetration missions in contested airspace. If sold to Pakistan, it would mark China’s first export of a fifth-generation fighter jet.

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The KJ-500 AWACS is expected to significantly boost Pakistan’s aerial surveillance and radar coverage, particularly in regional conflicts, due to its agility and smaller footprint. Meanwhile, the HQ-19 surface-to-air missile system would strengthen Pakistan’s ability to intercept ballistic missiles, enhancing its overall strategic deterrence.

Why India should worry?

Group Captain (Retd.) Ajay Ahlawat, a former Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot and defence analyst, told NDTV that Pakistan's acquisition of advanced Chinese fighter jets was anticipated, as its pilots have been undergoing training in China for several months. "Pakistan receiving these jets is not a surprise at all because their team of nominated fighter pilots has been in China for more than six months," he said. "They were training on the type even before induction. Reports suggest that the version China will supply to Pakistan is the FC-31, a slightly downgraded variant of the J-35. This is standard practice globally; no country exports the full-capability version."

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Ahlawat added that the move will likely raise alarms in New Delhi. "It’s worrying news. Since independence, India has strived to maintain a technological edge, if not over China, then at least over Pakistan. Any version of the J-35 appearing in Pakistani colours is bound to cause concern on our side.”