The J-35’s Progress in Pakistan
Reports indicate that the J-35 is set to join the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), with two squadrons expected to be operational within two years. With the maturation of the WS-19 engine, Pakistan, which has long been interested in the J-35’s prototype FC-31, could become the first country in South Asia to field a fifth-generation fighter jet. The PAF’s J-35 fleet could also serve as a showcase for other Muslim-majority nations unable to acquire the F-35.
India’s Fighter Jet Situation and Controversy
India’s fifth-generation fighter jet, the AMCA, remains in the presentation stage. Indian internet users have been known to overstate the capabilities of the fourth-generation Rafale fighter, claiming it can defeat China’s J-20. They also believe their domestic LCA Mk2 fighter can make China “despair.” However, the LCA is an assembly of components from various countries. It was proposed in 1983, began development in 1987, and only entered service in 2015, while China’s J-20 entered service in 2016.
A Comparison of Fifth-Generation Fighter Development in India and Pakistan
The J-35A has been finalized and will be delivered to the Pakistan Air Force soon, a matter of just one or two years. Given India’s history of weapons development, the AMCA is expected to take at least 30 years to develop, with the earliest possible delivery date being after 2050. By that time, China might already possess seventh-generation fighters, and Pakistan could be fielding China’s sixth-generation fighter jets.