Pakistan Plans to Buy 40 Chinese J-35 Fighter Jets and Airborne Early Warning Aircraft
Pakistan plans to purchase a large batch of advanced Chinese military equipment, including 40 fifth-generation J-35 fighter jets, KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft, and HQ-19 missile defense systems.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced this on his official Facebook page.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan has achieved several major diplomatic milestones, including the offer of 40 J-35 fifth-generation aircraft from China, KJ-500 Oaks, HQ-19 defense system, and a deferral of $3.7 billion in loan repayments. Additionally, 100,000 Pakistanis will be trained in AI and IT with the help of Huawei,” the statement reads.
The announcement confirms earlier reports that China is preparing to supply Pakistan’s Air Force with its new fifth-generation FC-31 Gyrfalcon fighter jet, also known as the J-35.
A senior Pakistani government official told Janes that aircraft deliveries are expected to begin within a few months. Pakistani crews are reportedly already undergoing flight training in China.
The deal marks the first export contract for the J-35, developed by China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. Initially conceived as a private venture in the early 2010s, the fighter jet is marketed as an affordable fifth-generation option for countries without access to the U.S.-built F-35.
According to Janes, Pakistan’s future fleet of FC-31s will likely be equipped with long-range PL-17 air-to-air missiles, reportedly capable of striking targets up to 400 kilometers away. Combined with the aircraft’s low radar signature, the new systems could significantly enhance Pakistan’s air defense capabilities.
Designed as a medium-weight fighter, the FC-31 is intended to complement China’s heavier J-20 stealth jets. Despite ongoing production, the FC-31 has not yet been adopted into service by China’s own armed forces.
The HQ-19 missile defense system has been under development since the late 1990s. Chinese authorities say it has been tested against targets at altitudes above 200 kilometers and speeds of up to 36,000 km/h. A successful test was announced in 2021.
Often compared to the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, the HQ-19 is reportedly capable of intercepting targets at distances of up to 500 kilometers.
Each system includes two launch vehicles, each carrying six missiles, as well as a mobile command post and an integrated radar with a claimed detection range of up to 4,000 kilometers.
The KJ-500, developed by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation, is based on the Y-9 transport aircraft. It features a fixed dorsal radome with three active phased array radars providing 360-degree coverage. The aircraft can reportedly track up to 100 targets simultaneously at a range of up to 470 kilometers.
