China Fast-Tracks J-35A Stealth Jets to Pakistan to Counter India:

Gilgit-Baltistan, May 2025 — In a significant development, Pakistan and China have jointly conducted a test flight of the J-35A ‘Gyrfalcon’ stealth fighter over the Karakoram region. This event marks a deepening of military collaboration between the two nations, with Pakistani and Chinese pilots co-piloting the advanced aircraft.

The J-35A, developed by China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, is a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter designed for both air superiority and ground-attack missions. The test flight incorporated advanced systems such as the Beidou satellite command, AWACS uplink, and ground-based stealth-tracking denial systems, demonstrating a high level of operational integration between the two air forces.

A senior European defense attaché in Islamabad commented, “We knew the J-35 would be exported. But we didn’t expect Pakistani pilots to be inside the cockpit before full PLAAF deployment. That’s unprecedented. This isn’t just cooperation. It’s full-spectrum fusion.”

The test flights included real-time radar suppression exercises, satellite-guided targeting against virtual enemy airframes, live interception of AWACS and low-observable drone targets, and simulated Rafale/Meteor scenario tracking. These exercises indicate a shift from mere orientation flights to comprehensive doctrinal rehearsals.

A former Indian Air Marshal, speaking anonymously, acknowledged the strategic implications: “If Chinese and Pakistani pilots are flying J-35As in combat configurations, it fundamentally changes the balance. The Rafale edge we built is gone. Stealth has reached our borders.”

The J-35A’s deployment in Pakistani airspace under joint command signals China’s trust in Pakistan as a strategic ally. Unlike other major powers, China has integrated Pakistan into its core fifth-generation combat doctrine, a move that could redefine regional power dynamics.

According to reports, Pakistan plans to acquire up to 40 J-35A jets from China over the next two years, aiming to replace its aging fleet of F-16s and Mirage fighters. This acquisition could provide Pakistan with a strategic advantage in the region, especially as India continues to develop its indigenous fifth-generation fighter program, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which is not expected to be operational until the next decade.

A retired PAF Air Commodore familiar with the test protocols stated, “This isn’t just about receiving jets. It’s about being inside the operating system. We’re no longer flying Chinese jets—we’re flying with China, in China’s future.”

The joint test flight of the J-35A over Gilgit-Baltistan underscores the evolving strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, potentially altering the aerial balance of power in South Asia.

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#PakistanChinaDefense #J35A #StealthFighter #GilgitBaltistan #SouthAsiaSecurity #PAF #PLAAF #MilitaryAviation #FifthGenerationFighter #RegionalPowerDynamics