Earlier this month, Pakistan disclosed its plans to acquire the Shenyang FC-31/J-31 fighter. Pakistan Air Force Chief Zaheer Sidhu, in a ceremony, announced that the acquisition process for the Shenyang FC-31/J-31 fighter is underway, with preparations already initiated.
Chief Sidhu, however, did not provide details regarding the number of jets Pakistan intends to acquire or the delivery schedule.
Shenyang is actively developing the FC-31/J-31, potentially designated J-35, primarily for deployment on upcoming Chinese aircraft carriers, such as CNS Shandong. Plans for a land-based version remain unclear.
It is worth noting that in the 2010s, AVIC conducted tests with a J-31 demonstrator, even showcasing it in the flying display at the 2014 Airshow China in Zhuhai.
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Despite the People’s Liberation Army Air Force prioritizing the Chengdu J-20, which is now in service and gradually being deployed, the close military ties between China and Pakistan are evident. This collaboration is highlighted by the joint Chengdu/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex JF-17 project. Pakistan holds the unique position of being the only country, besides China, to operate the J-10. Specifically, the J-10C is actively deployed in the Pakistan Air Force’s 15 Squadron.
Recent media reports suggest that Pakistan plans to acquire up to 25 J-10Cs.
However, Chief Sidhu’s statements appear to contrast with a social media post by Turkish Defense Minister Yaser Guler in August of the previous year. According to Guler’s post, Pakistan was nearing involvement in the Turkish Aerospace Industries Kaan fighter program.
AVIC, the parent company of Shenyang, had previously considered the possibility of collaborating with international partners on the FC-31/J-31 program. During the 2015 Dubai Air Show, AVIC, in a rare media briefing, promoted the FC-31/J-31 ‘Gyrfalcon’ as a low-observable jet with “multi-spectrum, low-observability characteristics.”
In 2015, AVIC mentioned that the first flight of a production FC-31/J-31 could happen in 2019, depending on finding a well-funded customer. Pakistan, focused on advancing its aerospace sector, may find interest in such an advanced, stealthy aircraft.
