ISLAMABAD: Retired Indian Army Lieutenant General K.J.S. Dhillon Bakhshi, aprominent defence commentator, has claimed that Pakistani pilots arecurrently undergoing intensive training in China to master the advancedJ-35 stealth fighters, a development poised to reshape South Asian aerialdynamics. The fifth-generation aircraft, developed by China’s ShenyangAircraft Corporation, promises superior stealth capabilities and multirolefunctionality. According to credible sources, initial deliveries couldcommence as early as next year, marking a significant leap for the PakistanAir Force.
In recent analyses, he asserted that the absence of comparable stealthassets in India’s inventory could cede air superiority to Pakistan in theregion. “The PAF’s integration of J-35s will fundamentally alter thebalance,” Bakhshi stated, urging immediate countermeasures by New Delhi toavert strategic vulnerabilities.
The J-35, often likened to the American F-35 for its reduced radarcross-section and advanced avionics, equips the PAF with tools for airdominance and precision strikes. Pakistani officials have reportedlyapproved the acquisition of around 40 units, with pilots alreadyacclimating to its AESA radar and sensor fusion systems. This move alignswith Islamabad’s deepening military ties with Beijing, enhancing deterrenceamid ongoing border tensions.
India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft project remains yearsfrom operational status, leaving the Indian Air Force reliant onfourth-generation fighters like the Rafale. Veterans such as Group CaptainAjay Ahlawat have echoed Bakhshi’s concerns, noting that Pakistani trainingsessions in China have exceeded six months. “This is not mere rhetoric;it’s a tangible shift that demands accelerated procurement,” Ahlawatobserved.
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As the subcontinent braces for this technological asymmetry, diplomaticchannels may intensify to mitigate escalation risks. Bakhshi’s call forurgent action underscores the imperative for India to bolster its aerialarsenal, lest regional stability be undermined by unilateral advancements.The J-35’s advent signals a new era where stealth defines supremacy.
Source:www.ndtv.com/india-news/40-china-j-35-jets-for-pak-indias-5th-gen-decade-away-iaf-veterans-weigh-in-8714637″>https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/40-china-j-35-jets-for-pak-indias-5th-gen-decade-away-iaf-veterans-weigh-in-8714637
