SOURCE: AFI
Air Commodore (Retd) Zia Ul Haque Shamsi recently stated that Pakistan’s acquisition of a fifth-generation fighter jet would provide the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) with a significant edge over India for the next 12 to 14 years. According to Shamsi, India is unlikely to acquire similar capabilities within this period, giving Pakistan a strategic advantage in the region.
Earlier this year, the PAF Chief announced that Pakistan would be acquiring Chinese-made FC-31 stealth fighter jets, also known as the J-31, from China. The FC-31 is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter designed to compete with similar aircraft, such as the F-35 and other advanced platforms. This acquisition marks a significant upgrade for the PAF, as it seeks to modernize its fleet and enhance its air combat capabilities.
Recent reports from Pakistani media, including Bol News, have also claimed that Pakistani pilots have already begun training in China to operate the FC-31. This suggests that the acquisition process is well underway, although the exact number of jets that Pakistan plans to procure remains unclear. Notably, the FC-31 has not yet been inducted into the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) but is in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
The introduction of the FC-31 into the PAF could shift the balance of power in the region, particularly in terms of air superiority. The stealth capabilities of the FC-31, combined with its advanced avionics and weapon systems, could pose a challenge to the Indian Air Force (IAF), which currently operates a mix of fourth-generation fighters and is in the process of upgrading its fleet with the Rafale and indigenous Tejas jets.
Despite the potential threat, Indian defense sources have indicated idrw.org that the IAF is not planning to procure off-the-shelf fifth-generation fighter jets to counter the PAF’s FC-31 acquisition. Instead, India is focused on the development of its own fifth-generation fighter program, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). While the AMCA project is making progress, it is still several years away from operational deployment, leaving a potential gap in capabilities between the two air forces in the near term.
The FC-31 could give Pakistan a tactical advantage in aerial combat, particularly in contested airspace. However, the full extent of this advantage will depend on various factors, including the number of jets procured, the effectiveness of pilot training, and the integration of the aircraft into the broader PAF operational framework.
Furthermore, while the FC-31 is a significant leap in capability, India’s IAF retains a numerical and qualitative edge in terms of overall fleet size, experience, and support infrastructure. The IAF’s focus on network-centric warfare, long-range precision strike capabilities, and advanced air defense systems could help mitigate the threat posed by the FC-31.