ISLAMABAD: An Indian newspaper has claimed that the first batch of China’sfifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft, the J-35A, has been delivered tothe Pakistan Air Force, significantly enhancing its capability to operateundetected over Indian territory.
According to the report published in a leading Indian daily, several J-35Aaircraft have already arrived in Pakistan under strict secrecy, marking thefirst export of China’s most advanced stealth platform outside its own airforce.
The newspaper quoted unnamed defence sources alleging that Pakistani pilotshave begun familiarisation training on the twin-engine stealth fighter,which is equipped with advanced active electronically scanned array radarand internal weapon bays.
The J-35A is said to possess superior low-observable characteristicscompared to the J-31 prototype and can carry long-range air-to-airmissiles, enabling deep penetration missions without triggering Indianradar systems.
Military analysts in New Delhi expressed concern that the induction wouldalter the aerial balance in the region, particularly along the Line ofControl and the international border where India currently enjoystechnological superiority.
The report further claimed that Pakistan negotiated the deal directly withShenyang Aircraft Corporation, bypassing usual diplomatic channels, andthat more aircraft are scheduled for delivery in the coming months.
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Neither the Pakistan Air Force nor the Chinese embassy in Islamabad hasissued any official statement regarding the reported delivery of thestealth fighters.
Defence circles in Rawalpindi have dismissed the Indian claims aspsychological warfare aimed at justifying New Delhi’s own delayedfifth-generation AMCA programme.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com”>https://www.hindustantimes.com
