SOURCE: AFI
The official account of the Pakistan Air Force, DGPR (AIR FORCE), recently released a video clip featuring Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI (M). The clip generated significant buzz as it depicted ACM Sidhu in the cockpit of a newly acquired J-10CE combat aircraft.
But that’s not all. The video also offered a glimpse of the much-anticipated Chinese FC-31, a fifth-generation fighter jet. This inclusion is seen as a strong indication of Air Chief Marshal Sidhu’s commitment to spearheading the modernization drive of the Pakistan Air Force.
While ACM Sidhu has recently expressed the PAF’s intent to acquire the FC-31, it’s important to note that the aircraft is still under development. However, the video hints at a potential collaboration similar to the JF-17 program, where China provided technology for local production in Pakistan.
This development suggests a growing partnership between China and Pakistan in the aviation sector. The FC-31’s potential integration into the PAF arsenal signifies a significant leap in Pakistani airpower capabilities, especially considering its fifth-generation classification.