Bankrupt Pakistan plans to procure 40 powerful weapons from China, eyes to strengthen its…, but are these cheap copies worth it?

Pakistan and China have a strong and strategic relationship, built on mutual interests, economic cooperation, and defense ties. Over the years, both Pakistan and China—the two countries—have strengthened their bond through infrastructure projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and military collaboration. Pakistan aims to maintain its alliance with China as a counterbalance to its rivalry with India. At the same time, China is cultivating this relationship to strengthen its position against India. A significant development in this partnership is that China is reportedly in talks with Pakistan for Islamabad to procure 40 advanced stealth fighter jets from Beijing.

Bankrupt Pakistan plans to procure 40 powerful weapons from China, eyes to strengthen its…, but are these cheap copies worth it?

As per the media reports, if the deal is confirmed, Pakistan will become the first and only country outside of China to possess a squadron of the stealth J-35A multi-role fighter jets. This will also represent the debut export of China’s most advanced military aircraft.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has reportedly approved the purchase of 40 J-35 jets from China, with deliveries expected within two years, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP). The J-35, an export version of China’s J-31 stealth fighter, is designed for both air superiority and strike missions. Equipped with next-generation avionics and advanced stealth technology, the J-35 is smaller than the J-20 but is believed to have enhancements for targeting ground and maritime objectives.

It is reported that China’s J-35A design closely resembles that of the American Lockheed Martin F-35, with the key distinction being that the J-35A features two engines, whereas the F-35 has a single engine.

According to the News18 Hindi report, the J-20 and the US F-22 Raptor share significant design similarities, with the main difference being the canards present on the J-20. The Chengdu J-10, also known as the “Vigorous Dragon,” is another Chinese aircraft that resembles the American F-16 fighter jet. China plans to incorporate this aircraft into both its air force and navy, similar to how the United States utilizes the F-35, which has three variants: the F-35A for the Air Force, the F-35B for the Marine Corps, and the F-35C for the Navy.

Despite the country’s ongoing economic crisis and dependence on bailout packages from the IMF and World Bank, Pakistan is reportedly moving forward with the deal. However, it remains unclear how such a large deal will be financed. Defense experts suggest it would not be surprising if China chooses to offer another loan, which Pakistan may not be able to repay.

The foreign loan disbursements to Pakistan have dropped by 43 per cent, reaching USD 3.6 billion in the first five months of the current fiscal year, The Express Tribune reported on Tuesday, citing official data released on Monday. This is a significant decrease from the USD 6.4 billion received in the same period last year.