SOURCE: AFI
For much of its 75-year history, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has predominantly relied on single-engined fighter jets to form the backbone of its aerial fleet. From the F-86 Sabre in the 1950s to the modern JF-17 Thunder, the PAF has favored lightweight, cost-effective, and agile single-engine platforms. The only notable exception was its operation of the twin-engined Shenyang F-6, a Chinese copy of the Soviet MiG-19, which served from the 1960s to the 1980s.
However, recent developments indicate a significant strategic shift as the PAF plans to integrate twin-engined 5th-generation fighter jets like China’s J-35A and Turkey’s TAI KAAN, while also pursuing an indigenous 5th-generation fighter under the PFX program. This departure from tradition reflects evolving regional threats, technological ambitions, and a desire for greater operational flexibility. Below, we explore the reasons behind this pivot.
Since its inception in 1947, the PAF has operated under tight budgetary constraints and a focus on maintaining a credible deterrent against its primary adversary, India. Single-engine fighters like the F-86 Sabre, Mirage III/V, F-7 (a MiG-21 derivative), and the JF-17 Thunder have been the mainstay due to their lower procurement and maintenance costs, simpler logistics, and suitability for rapid deployment. The F-6 was an outlier, acquired in large numbers from China during a period of close Sino-Pakistani ties in the Cold War era, but even then, it was phased out in favor of more agile single-engine designs. For decades, this approach allowed the PAF to maintain a numerically significant force despite economic limitations.
However, the modern battlefield has evolved dramatically. The proliferation of advanced air defense systems, stealth technology, and long-range precision munitions has diminished the effectiveness of older single-engine platforms. With India advancing its own capabilities through the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, and the upcoming AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), the PAF faces a pressing need to modernize and adapt.
The PAF’s interest in twin-engined 5th-generation fighters like the J-35A and TAI KAAN, alongside the PFX program, signals a recognition that single-engine jets, even advanced ones like the JF-17 Block III, may no longer suffice in the face of contemporary threats. Several factors drive this shift:
- Enhanced Performance and Survivability
Twin-engine designs offer greater thrust, payload capacity, and range compared to their single-engine counterparts. The J-35A, developed by China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, and the TAI KAAN, spearheaded by Turkish Aerospace Industries, are built for stealth, supercruise, and multi-role operations—capabilities that single-engine fighters struggle to match. For instance, the J-35A’s twin WS-19 engines provide redundancy and improved performance, critical for operations over contested airspace or long distances, such as Pakistan’s western border or the Indian Ocean region. Similarly, KAAN’s twin engines (initially GE F110, with plans for indigenous alternatives) promise air superiority and strike capabilities that outclass the PAF’s current fleet.In contrast, single-engine jets like the JF-17, while versatile, lack the power and endurance needed for prolonged engagements or deep-strike missions. The twin-engine configuration also enhances survivability—if one engine fails, the aircraft can still return to base, a vital feature in high-risk scenarios. - Countering Regional Threats
India’s growing air power, including its twin-engine Rafale and Su-30 MKI fleets, poses a direct challenge to Pakistan’s deterrence posture. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is also pursuing the AMCA, a 5th-generation twin-engine stealth fighter, expected to enter service in the 2030s. To maintain parity, the PAF must field aircraft with comparable stealth, avionics, and weapon systems. The J-35A, with its reported stealth features and advanced AESA radar, and the KAAN, designed to rival the F-35, offer the PAF a means to neutralize India’s technological edge. These platforms can carry long-range missiles like the PL-15, enabling the PAF to engage targets beyond visual range—a capability that single-engine jets like the JF-17 can only partially achieve. - Strategic Alliances and Diversification
Pakistan’s defense strategy has long been tied to its partnerships with China and, more recently, Turkey. The J-35A strengthens the Sino-Pakistani axis, building on the success of the JF-17 program. China’s willingness to export advanced fighters like the J-35A provides Pakistan with rapid access to 5th-generation technology, potentially as early as 2027, according to some reports. Meanwhile, the TAI KAAN project deepens Pak-Turkish collaboration, with Pakistan reportedly contributing engineers and exploring co-production. This diversification reduces reliance on a single supplier (China) and aligns with Turkey’s ambition to expand its defense exports. Operating both jets could allow the PAF to tailor its fleet to different operational needs—J-35A for stealth strikes and KAAN for air superiority. - The PFX Program: A Leap Toward Self-Reliance
The PFX program, initially envisioned as a 4.5-generation upgrade to the JF-17, has evolved into an ambitious 5th-generation project. While early reports suggested a single-engine design, recent indications point to a twin-engine configuration, reflecting lessons from the J-35A and KAAN. This shift underscores Pakistan’s desire to reduce dependence on foreign platforms and build indigenous expertise. The PFX aims to incorporate stealth features, AESA radar, and advanced munitions, leveraging technology transfers from China and Turkey. Though resource-intensive—requiring billions of dollars and thousands of engineers—the program aligns with the PAF’s long-term goal of technological autonomy, a stark contrast to its historical reliance on imported single-engine jets.
The move to twin-engine fighters marks a departure from the PAF’s traditional philosophy of affordability and simplicity. Single-engine jets were ideal for a force focused on defensive operations and limited budgets, but they lack the versatility and staying power needed in modern warfare. Twin-engine designs, while more expensive to procure and maintain, offer superior performance, redundancy, and the ability to integrate complex 5th-generation systems like sensor fusion and electronic warfare suites. The F-6 experience, though brief, demonstrated that twin-engine jets could serve the PAF effectively; today’s technological leap makes them indispensable.
This ambitious shift is not without hurdles. Pakistan’s economic woes—foreign reserves barely exceeding $10 billion and inflation soaring—raise questions about funding. Acquiring J-35A and KAAN jets, alongside developing the PFX, could strain resources, especially given the high costs of 5th-generation programs (Turkey’s KAAN, for instance, requires $2-3 billion for its first flight). Moreover, operating a mixed fleet of single-engine JF-17s and twin-engine 5th-generation jets will complicate logistics and training.
Yet, the strategic payoff could be significant. By fielding twin-engine 5th-generation fighters, the PAF aims to deter aggression, project power beyond its borders, and secure a technological edge over India until the AMCA matures. The J-35A and KAAN offer immediate solutions, while the PFX represents a bold step toward self-reliance—a vision that could redefine Pakistan’s air force for the next 75 years.
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