China Offers Pakistan Advanced J-35 Stealth Jets, AEW&C Aircraft, Missile Systems: Reports

Pakistan's government has seemingly confirmed that China has offered to sell it a range of advanced military hardware, including stealth fighter jets, airborne early warning aircraft, and surface-to-air missile systems, reported Breaking Defence.

The announcement came via the official X account of the Pakistani government last Friday, which listed diplomatic accomplishments attributed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Among the highlights was an offer from China to supply "40 fifth-generation Shenyang J-35 stealth aircraft, Shaanxi KJ-500 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, and HQ-19 air defence systems," according to a translated version of the post.

The same statement also revealed that Azerbaijan and Pakistan had signed a contract worth $4.6 billion, under which Azerbaijan would purchase 40 JF-17 fighter aircraft manufactured by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC).

Initial reports of China's offer emerged in December, when anonymous Pakistani officials indicated that deliveries of the J-35-also referred to as the FC-31-could begin "within months." Pakistan's air chief confirmed the planned acquisition in January.

The J-35 is currently being developed for both China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the naval wing, the People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force (PLANAF), with the latter expected to deploy the aircraft on its aircraft carriers.

The aircraft stems from a redesign of the FC-31, an earlier export-oriented project by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation that had struggled to attract international buyers.

In 2021, the Chinese Aeronautical Establishment, part of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), announced plans to develop a next-generation fighter jet for the Chinese military-this later emerged as the J-35.

The naval version of the J-35, featuring a catapult launch bar and folding wings for carrier-based operations, was the first variant to be publicly revealed. The PLAAF version followed in 2023, with the aircraft making its official public debut at the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024.

The J-35 has drawn comparisons to the American-made Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II due to its stealth design and similar shape, though key differences remain.

Like other stealth aircraft, the J-35 is expected to house its weapons in internal bays to minimise radar signature.

It is believed to be equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and designed for network-centric warfare. However, unlike the F-35's single-engine configuration, the J-35 uses twin engines.

In addition to the J-35, China has reportedly offered Pakistan the Shaanxi KJ-500 AEW&C aircraft, the most modern airborne early warning platform currently in Chinese service.

Based on the Shaanxi Y-9 turboprop transport aircraft, the KJ-500 is fitted with a large radar dome atop the fuselage and features AESA radar technology, providing comprehensive 360-degree radar coverage.