*Islamabad, August 21, 2025* – Chinese Foreign Minister *Wang Yi* hascommenced a two-day visit to Islamabad to co-chair the *6th Pakistan-ChinaForeign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue* with Pakistan’s Deputy PrimeMinister and Foreign Minister, *Ishaq Dar*. The discussions are centered onfurther cementing the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership,”enhancing economic and trade ties, and reinforcing mutual commitment toregional peace and stability.(Reuterslink,The News Internationallink,Pakistan Todaylink)
In addition to engagements with top civilian leadership, Wang Yi isexpected to hold talks with military figures, including *Chief of ArmyStaff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir* in Rawalpindi, reflecting the breadthof the bilateral agenda.(The News Internationallink,Geo Newslink)
This visit follows Wang Yi’s stop in New Delhi and precedes Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif’s upcoming trip to China for the *Shanghai CooperationOrganisation (SCO) Summit*, underscoring the diplomatic choreography atplay.(Reuterslink,The News Internationallink,Geo Newslink,The Weeklink)——————————J-35A Stealth Fighter Jets: Timeline & Strategic Implications
Pakistan is poised to receive the *J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighterjets* from China—the its first export of such advanced aircraft.Delivery Timeline: Fast-Tracked
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Initial reports indicated deliveries were targeted for *late 2026*, but the schedule has since accelerated significantly.(Defence Security Asia link, azerbaijantoday.az link, GSRRA link, The Asia Live link ) –
According to senior military sources, Islamabad is now expected to receive the *first batch in early 2026*, approximately *six months ahead* of the original timeline.(Defence Security Asia link, azerbaijantoday.az link, Newswav link, The Asia Live link ) –
Some outlets indicate Pakistan may begin to acquire *up to 40 J-35A jets*, with the *first deliveries possibly as early as August 2025*.( warwingsdaily.com link, The Economic Times link, echostoday.com link ) –
However, skepticism remains: Pakistan’s Defence Minister *Khawaja Asif* has publicly dismissed these accelerated delivery reports as speculative.( Wikipedia link)
Pricing and Public Reaction
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Reports suggest that *30 J-35A jets* are being sold to Pakistan at a *50% discount*, sparking criticism on Chinese social media that the deal resembles a “charity sale.” Critics question the prudence of offering such a key stealth platform at a reduced price.(The Economic Times link, The Times of India link )
——————————Likely Delivery Timeline: A Probable Two-Phase ForecastPhase Timeline Details*Phase 1* *August – December 2025* Possible initial deliveries, contingenton accelerated schedules.*Phase 2* *Q1 2026 (Jan–Mar)* Continued delivery of the first operationalbatch of J-35A fighters.*Full Delivery* *By end of 2026* Completion of the full order, possiblytotaling up to 40 aircraft.
This phased outlook aligns with multiple sources: some hint at August 2025arrivals, but consensus leans toward early 2026 for initial batch delivery.Completion of the full order is likely by late 2026.——————————Strategic Implications
The introduction of the *J-35A stealth fighters* would mark atransformative moment for the *Pakistan Air Force (PAF)*, potentiallygranting it a *12 to 14-year edge* over regional peer India, which has nooperational fifth-generation fighter on the horizon.(Defence Security Asialink,azerbaijantoday.azlink)
For China, exporting the J-35A underlines its ambition to break into theglobal fifth-generation fighter market and deepen strategic dependencethrough military-technical cooperation.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s strategic visit to Islamabad occurs amidescalating defense cooperation between China and Pakistan. While the exactdelivery schedule for the J-35A remains fluid, all signs point toward *initialdeliveries between late 2025 and early 2026*, with the full complementexpected by *end of 2026*. This deepening partnership not only reshapesPakistan’s airpower landscape but also speaks volumes to the evolvinggeopolitical alignments in South Asia.