Pakistan Air Force is moving a step closer to next generation air force with the procurement of Chinese J-31 stealth fighter aircraft. Pakistan Air Force staged an official ceremony on January 2, to mark the official induction & operationalization of various new combat systems including Bayraktar TB2 and Shahpar-II drones. During his speech, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, announced the Pakistan’s plans to procure J-31 stealth fighter from China.
He said, “the foundation for acquiring the J-31 Stealth Fighter aircraft has already been laid which is all set to become part of the PAF’s fleet in the near future”. “Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aerial Systems, Center of Excellence for Air Mobility & Aviation Safety, College of Air Defence and reinvigoration of Air Power Centre of Excellence has been achieved in order to stay abreast with the evolving challenges”, he added.
Although J-31 is under development phase by China, but Chinese AVIC has started the marketing of this fighter aircraft globally. Pakistan is also working with Turkish Aerospace Industries on KAAN Project as a technology partner. It is expected that Kaan will be ready till 2028, thus provides PAF an edge over its archrival, India.
this statement is not a surprising development, since Pakistani government officials already announced that J-31 is under the radar of Pakistan.
Umair Aslam is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Defense Insight. He has worked as a defense journalist reporting on military modernization programs, defense industry, arms procurement, and emerging technologies.
