Last month, the US published the fine print of a US$686 million upgrade deal for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets. The deal is for data link systems, new encryption gear and a refit that keeps the jets flying until 2040. The notice says Pakistan can protect the technology to “substantially the same degree” as the US government.
The Pakistan Air Force is also the only declared interested buyer of China’s J-35 stealth fighter, a generational leap in technology.
The Chinese jet first flew at the Zhuhai air show in 2024, and may well appear again when the biennial event returns in December. Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has been pitching it as a cheaper F-35 – America’s stealth fighter jet.
In June last year, a Pakistani government social media post listed a Chinese offer of 40 J-35s, KJ-500 early-warning planes and HQ-19 air defences. It was taken down soon after. This May, the air force said it had signed an “initial collaborative agreement” to buy the J-35 but gave no details.