testing against India
ISLAMABAD: In a development that could reshape the aerial power dynamics inSouth Asia, China is set to deliver its advanced J-35 stealth fighter jetsand the revolutionary PL-17 air-to-air missiles to Pakistan, according tostrategic analyses circulating in regional defense circles. This transfer,reportedly intended to bolster Pakistan’s air force capabilities, carriesan unprecedented 400-kilometer range for the PL-17, making it the world’slongest-range missile of its kind. No other air-to-air weapon currently inservice matches this reach, positioning it as a game-changer inbeyond-visual-range combat scenarios.
The move underscores the deepening military alliance between Beijing andIslamabad, often described as an “all-weather” partnership. Sourcesfamiliar with the negotiations indicate that the J-35, a fifth-generationstealth aircraft comparable to the American F-35, will equip the PakistanAir Force with low-observable technology, advanced avionics, and internalweapons bays capable of housing up to six missiles, including the PL-17.This integration would allow Pakistani pilots to engage high-value Indianassets—such as airborne early warning and control systems or refuelingtankers—from standoff distances, potentially neutralizing threats beforethey can respond.
Prominent Indian strategic analyst Iqbal Chand Malhotra has weighed in onthe implications, asserting that China views Pakistan as a critical proxyfor testing these systems against India in real-world conditions. Malhotra,author of “Red Fear: The China Threat” and co-author of “Kashmir’s UntoldStory: Declassified,” argues that Beijing’s strategy is to leveragePakistan’s geographical proximity to New Delhi for operational validationwithout direct confrontation. “This is not mere arms sales; it’s acalculated escalation in the proxy domain,” Malhotra stated in recentcommentary, highlighting how the PL-17’s hypersonic capabilities coulddisrupt India’s air superiority, long a cornerstone of its regionaldeterrence posture.
Compounding the challenge for India is the shifting stance of Russia, itstraditional arms supplier. Moscow, facing its own geopolitical strains fromthe Ukraine conflict and warming ties with China, appears unwilling toextend substantial military assistance to New Delhi in the event ofheightened Indo-Pak tensions. Analysts note that Russia’s S-400 air defensesystems, already delivered to India, may offer some counterbalance, butthey fall short against the PL-17’s extended envelope. This reluctance fromRussia leaves India increasingly isolated, prompting calls in New Delhi foraccelerated indigenous programs like the Tejas Mk-2 and AMCA stealthfighter.
The transfer also raises broader questions about regional stability.Pakistan’s acquisition of these assets could embolden cross-borderskirmishes, particularly along the Line of Control in Kashmir, where aerialincursions have historically escalated into larger conflicts. Indiandefense planners are reportedly fast-tracking countermeasures, includingenhanced electronic warfare suites and missile defense upgrades. Yet, theasymmetry introduced by the PL-17—capable of speeds exceeding Mach 4—posesa formidable test for even India’s vaunted BrahMos and Astra missiles,which top out at around 300 kilometers.
As China continues its assertive expansion in the Indo-Pacific, this armspackage to Pakistan signals a multi-front pressure tactic on India.Malhotra further cautions that Beijing’s ultimate aim is to encircle NewDelhi through technological proliferation to allies, ensuring that anyIndian military adventurism is met with overwhelming aerial dominance. Withdeliveries potentially commencing in early 2026, the subcontinent bracesfor a new era of high-stakes aerial brinkmanship, where the skies maybecome the decisive battleground.
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Source:https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/analysis-what-are-the-threats-for-india-if-china-delivers-j35a-stealth-fighter-jets-to-pakistan
Source: https://openthemagazine.com/author/iqbal-chand-malhotra
Tags: China, Pakistan, India, Russia
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