ISLAMABAD — Pakistan is ready to accumulate the Chinese FC-31 Gyrfalcon fifth-generation fighter, in keeping with head of the Pakistan Air Force.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu was speaking Jan. 2 at an induction ceremony for brand spanking new equipment — which included J-10C Firebird fighters — when he said the FC-31 would enter service within the near future.
The service didn’t reply to Defense News’ questions on an acquisition timeline and aircraft quantity, nor what this purchase means for Pakistan’s previously expressed interest within the Turkish-made Kaan fifth-generation fighter.
Indeed, it’s unclear what this purchase means for the fleet, in addition to how it might impact the military balance between archrivals Pakistan and India, said Justin Bronk, an aerospace expert with the Royal United Services Institute think tank in London.
“The impact of a J-31/FC-31 acquisition by Pakistan is difficult to predict at this stage since the capabilities and time frames for delivery are so vaguely understood,” he told Defense News.
“An incredible deal will rely upon the extent of stealth achievable in practice, the sensors and sensor fusion within the aircraft when operational, and the time taken for delivery,” he added, “because the development of Indian sensor, fast jet, air defense and weapon capabilities will proceed within the interim.”
Nevertheless, the sale to Pakistan is important for China, said Rick Fisher, an authority on China’s military on the U.S.-based International Assessment and Strategy Center think tank.
“Splitting this program with Pakistan may be very necessary, as [it] provides a subsidy that then supports … production for the Chengdu J-20 heavy fifth-gen fighter and defends the Pakistan market from looming European and Turkish fifth-gen options,” he told Defense News.
“Since its inception, the FC-31/J-35 program has been [a] clear objective for the [Chinese People’s Liberation Army] PLA inasmuch because it requires a lower-cost fifth-gen fighter to accumulate its own numbers, provide a real fifth-gen platform for the PLA Navy, and to compete internationally with the F-35 and the fourth-gen-plus [European aircraft],” he added.
But there’s a downside to Pakistan’s acquisition plan, in keeping with Kaiser Tufail, an analyst and former Pakistan Air Force pilot.
“Firstly, induction of too many kinds of fighters isn’t helpful from the training and maintenance points. Secondly, the country’s economic scenario is relatively grim, and spending must be curtailed drastically,” he said. “I feel that the JF-17 [Block 3], J-10 and F-16s can perform the air superiority role adequately.”
“The necessity for stealthy platforms might be met by UAVs, that are excellent platforms for tactical support operations over the battlefield,” he added.
Usman Ansari is the Pakistan correspondent for Defense News.