ISLAMABAD: China’s aviation industry has entered a decisive new phase asShenyang Aircraft Corporation redirects its production capacity toward theJ-35 family of fifth-generation stealth fighters, a move with wide-rangingstrategic consequences. The focus on the carrier-based J-35, the airforce–oriented J-35A, and the export-focused J-35AE signals Beijing’sintent to rapidly expand stealth inventories. For Pakistan, identified asthe first overseas customer of the J-35AE, this development carries majorimplications for future airpower and regional deterrence stability.
The production shift reflects a broader restructuring within China’smilitary-industrial ecosystem, prioritising naval aviation and advancedstealth capabilities. Analysts note that Shenyang’s streamlined assemblylines and modular manufacturing methods have reduced bottlenecks thatpreviously constrained output. This industrial momentum underpins Chineseclaims that it is on track to field a larger number of carrier-capablefifth-generation fighters than the United States Navy within the nextdecade, a benchmark long dominated by the F-35C programme.
Central to this transformation is the J-35’s role in China’s expandingcarrier fleet, including the Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian aircraftcarriers. Unlike earlier generations, the J-35 is designed from inceptionfor electromagnetic catapult operations, enhanced survivability, andnetwork-centric warfare. Its twin-engine configuration and low-observabledesign aim to provide sustained sortie generation at sea, addressinglimitations observed in earlier carrier aircraft and strengthening China’sblue-water operational ambitions.
Comparisons with the United States Navy underscore the significance ofproduction scale rather than technological novelty alone. While the F-35Cremains a mature and combat-tested platform, its production pace isconstrained by cost, supply chains, and congressional oversight. Chineseplanners appear to be leveraging state-backed industrial coordination toaccelerate output, potentially narrowing numerical gaps in carrier-basedstealth fighters. This quantitative expansion is viewed as a forcemultiplier in contested maritime theatres, particularly the Western Pacific.
For Pakistan, the export variant J-35AE represents a qualitative leap inair combat capability. As the first confirmed export customer, Pakistanstands to benefit from early access, training integration, and customisedavionics aligned with its operational doctrine. Defence observers suggestthat induction of a stealth platform would significantly enhance PakistanAir Force’s penetration, survivability, and strike options, especially whencombined with existing airborne early warning and electronic warfare assets.
The potential arrival of the J-35AE also carries implications for SouthAsia’s evolving airpower balance. India’s ongoing efforts to modernise itsfighter fleet and pursue indigenous fifth-generation projects facepersistent delays, creating a widening capability gap. While stealthaircraft alone do not determine conflict outcomes, their presence reshapesplanning assumptions, crisis stability, and deterrence calculations.Pakistan’s acquisition could therefore exert psychological and strategicpressure beyond mere numbers.
Economically, China’s export push reflects confidence in its defencemanufacturing competitiveness. By offering a fifth-generation platform withfewer political restrictions than Western alternatives, Beijing ispositioning itself as a supplier of choice for states seeking advancedcapabilities without alliance entanglements. Pakistan’s role as the launchexport customer may further validate the programme internationally,potentially attracting interest from other countries seeking cost-effectivestealth solutions.
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However, challenges remain. Integrating a new stealth aircraft demandsextensive pilot training, maintenance infrastructure, and secure datanetworks. Long-term sustainment costs and interoperability with existingfleets will test Pakistan’s defence planning. Moreover, regional reactions,including potential countermeasures and accelerated procurement by rivalstates, could intensify an arms competition already marked by rapidtechnological change and compressed decision timelines.
Ultimately, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s production realignment towardthe J-35 family underscores a strategic inflection point in global militaryaviation. For China, it reinforces ambitions to rival established naval airpowers through scale and speed. For Pakistan, it opens the door to joininga small group of operators of fifth-generation fighters. As deliveriesmaterialise, the regional security landscape may enter a new, more complexphase defined by stealth, data dominance, and industrial capacity.
Source:https://www.scmp.com
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