Pakistan is set to become the first international buyer of China’s fifth-generation J-35 stealth fighter jets after signing an initial collaborative agreement to acquire up to 40 aircraft. Senior journalist Raza Rumi shared the development on X, citing an Aviation News report detailing the acquisition.
The deal is part of a broader modernization initiative by the Pakistani military, which includes the procurement of KJ-500 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) aircraft and HQ-19 air defence systems.
According to the reports, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the Ministry of Defence confirmed that initial pilot training batches have already commenced in China.
Ground crew familiarisation and infrastructure upgrades at selected PAF bases are proceeding in parallel, with initial aircraft deliveries expected within two months.
Developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the J-35 was first publicly unveiled at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow. The twin-engine stealth fighter features internal weapons bays and low-observable design elements, with a configuration similar to the US F-35 Lightning II.
Specifications show the aircraft has a length of approximately 17.3 metres, a wingspan of 11.5 metres, a maximum takeoff weight of around 28,000 kg, and a top speed approaching Mach 1.8. It carries internal munitions, including anti-radiation, land-attack, and air-to-air missiles.
The decision builds on the operational record of Chinese-made J-10C variants in the PAF, which demonstrated strong performance during the Pak-India May 2025 conflict, boosting local trust in Chinese combat aircraft.
The overall package is estimated to involve several billion dollars, forming part of Pakistan’s 2025-26 defence procurement priorities, which allocate around $2.34 billion for new acquisitions.
The introduction of the stealth platforms, integrated with AWACS and surface-to-air systems, is expected to change regional military balance.
The development has raised concerns in New Delhi, where analysts predict India may accelerate efforts to develop or acquire its own fifth-generation fighter.
