Pakistan is set to receive 40 J-35 jets from China — a fifth-generation stealth fighter — while India’s own stealth jet, the AMCA, won’t arrive until 2035. That’s the reality worrying India’s defence veterans today.
Retired IAF officers are raising concerns. They say the balance of air power in South Asia could shift — and fast. Till now, India held the edge with better pilot training and superior aircraft. But with Pakistan getting J-35 jets, that lead could shrink.
What Are J-35 Jets?
The J-35 is China’s latest fifth-generation stealth fighter, also known by its export version, FC-31. It has stealth features, advanced radar, and the ability to avoid enemy detection — a game-changer in modern warfare.
Pakistan will reportedly get 40 of these jets by December 2025, as per defence sources. The version sent to Pakistan won’t be identical to China’s frontline jets. It’s expected to be a slightly reduced variant, but still a huge leap in capability for Pakistan.
Also Read INDIA UNLEASHES PROJECT VISHNU! Mach 8 Hypersonic Missile With 1,500-Km Range
IAF Veterans Sound the Alarm
Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat (Retd.) says this move isn’t surprising. “Pakistani pilots have been in China training on these jets for months,” he said. What shocked him? The delivery is arriving ahead of schedule.
Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor (Retd.) believes India can’t afford to wait 10 years for the AMCA. He suggests buying Su-57 jets from Russia as a temporary fix — just like India did with Rafale. He argues the Su-57 works better with India’s current systems.
But not everyone agrees.
Group Captain Ahlawat is firm: India already walked away from the Russian Su-57 program once. “We spent $350 million and backed out,” he said. “Why return to something we didn’t like?”
Instead, he calls for full support to the indigenous AMCA, which he believes can match global standards if pushed with urgency.
Why This Matters
India currently has no stealth fighters in service. Pakistan’s J-35 induction means India might lose its air edge for the first time in decades. If India waits too long, both Pakistan and China will be operating advanced stealth jets, while India plays catch-up.
The good news? India has the talent, tech, and ambition to build its own fifth-gen fighter. But now, it needs speed and serious political will to make AMCA a national priority.
