Analysis: What are the threats for India if China delivers J-35A stealth fighter jets to Pakistan?
Defence affairs
According to open-source intelligence and regional defense reports published in early June 2025, China is reportedly finalizing the delivery of its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Shenyang J-35A, to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
This development represents a critical evolution in the China–Pakistan military alliance and introduces a potentially game-changing threat to India's established airpower superiority in South Asia. The integration of the J-35A into Pakistan's fleet would mark the most advanced air platform ever fielded by the PAF and could significantly alter the strategic air balance across the Indo-Pakistani border.
J-35A stealth fighter represents a potential game-changer for the Pakistan Air Force, offering advanced fifth-generation capabilities that could challenge Indian air superiority in South Asia.
The Shenyang J-35A, developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), is a carrier-capable, stealth-enabled, twin-engine multirole fighter. Though originally tailored for China’s aircraft carriers, its versatility has allowed it to evolve into a land-based platform suitable for export. As a fifth-generation aircraft, it combines reduced radar cross-section with internal weapons bays, advanced electronic warfare systems, supercruise capability, and next-generation avionics. It is equipped with a Chinese-made active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, advanced infrared search and track (IRST), and a modern data fusion architecture that enables full integration in network-centric operations.
Critically, the J-35A is compatible with China’s newest generation of air-to-air missiles, including the PL-15, a beyond-visual-range missile with active radar homing, and the PL-17, a long-range missile reportedly capable of striking targets up to 400 kilometers away. If confirmed, this missile alone would give the J-35A a first-strike capability against Indian Air Force (IAF) airborne assets such as AWACS, AEW&C, and aerial refueling tankers—long before Indian aircraft could engage in return fire. These capabilities are designed to neutralize the air defense network and degrade the offensive operations of an adversary, forming the backbone of China's and now potentially Pakistan’s offensive air doctrine.
From an operational standpoint, the arrival of the J-35A could mark a generational leap for the Pakistan Air Force. Currently, Pakistan’s frontline aircraft include JF-17 Block III fighters and a limited number of F-16s. While the Block III features AESA radar and data-link improvements, and the F-16s are capable multirole platforms, neither match the stealth, sensor fusion, or engagement range of the J-35A. Should Pakistan acquire even a limited number of these fighters, its air doctrine could shift dramatically from traditional defensive operations to deep strike and air denial capabilities, supported by Chinese satellite-based targeting and surveillance systems.
For India, the threat is multifaceted. The IAF operates a mix of fourth-generation aircraft including the Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000, MiG-29UPG, and the domestically produced HAL Tejas Mk1. Among them, only the Rafale F3R represents a near-peer response, equipped with Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles, Spectra electronic warfare systems, and a modern sensor suite. However, even the Rafale lacks stealth capability and remains vulnerable to detection and first-shot engagement from the J-35A in a contested electronic warfare environment. Moreover, the Su-30MKI, while dominant in payload and maneuverability, has a high radar signature, making it a poor match against stealthy opponents in beyond-visual-range combat.
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