Photo Courtesy: freemalaysiatoday.com
News Brief: Pakistan’s Acquisition of Chinese J-35 Fighters and Missile Defense Systems
Pakistan has finalized a landmark defense deal with China to procure 40 Shenyang J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets and an advanced HQ-9B air defense system. The agreement, valued at an estimated $4–5 billion for the J-35s alone, marks China’s first export of fifth-generation stealth aircraft and underscores deepening military ties between the two nations. Deliveries of the J-35s are expected to begin in 2025, with all 40 jets operational by 2027, replacing Pakistan’s aging F-16 and Mirage fleets. This significant development marks China’s first export of fifth-generation fighter technology to a foreign ally, potentially recalibrating regional power dynamics, particularly in relation to India. The deal, which comes amid Pakistan’s economic challenges, demonstrates the country’s commitment to modernizing its air force capabilities.
The HQ-9B missile defense system, a long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system comparable to Russia’s S-300, is reportedly part of a separate deal worth $2.6 billion. This system will enhance Pakistan’s ability to counter aerial threats, including India’s Rafale jets and BrahMos cruise missiles.
Shenyang J-35 Stealth Fighter
- Specifications and Capabilities: The J-35 represents China’s latest achievement in stealth fighter technology, with specifications that place it firmly in the fifth-generation fighter category. According to published parameters compiled from sources including AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China), the J-35 boasts impressive technical capabilities:
- Stealth Technology: Radar-absorbent materials, internal weapons bays, and a reduced radar cross-section (RCS) of 0.01–0.05 m², comparable to the F-35. The J-35’s design incorporates stealth features including carefully aligned edges, internal weapons carriage. As a multirole fighter, it is expected to be capable of air superiority missions, precision strike against ground targets, and maritime operations
- Engine: The aircraft is powered by two WS-19 “Huangshan” engines equipped with omnidirectional thrust vectoring technology, providing exceptional manoeuvrability and performance. Perhaps most significantly, the radar cross-section of the J-35 can reportedly be reduced to 0.01 square meters, comparable to the stealth capability of the US F-22 Raptor.
- Avionics: Standard equipment includes advanced gallium oxide active phased array radar systems. Integrated AESA radar, electro-optical targeting system (EOTS), and advanced sensor fusion for situational awareness.
- Payload: The J-35 has a take-off weight of approximately 35 tons with an impressive payload capacity of 8 tons. Six internal and eight external hardpoints, capable of carrying PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles (range: 200 km) and precision-guided bombs.
Strategic Advantages
- Fifth-Generation Edge: The J-35’s stealth and sensor fusion give Pakistan a technological leap over India’s fourth-generation Rafale jets.
- Carrier Compatibility: The naval variant of the J-35, designed for catapult-assisted take-off, hints at future deployment on Pakistan’s potential aircraft carriers.
Comparative Analysis: J-35 vs. Rafale
Technical Specifications Comparison: The acquisition of J-35 fighters by Pakistan and Rafale fighters by India represents parallel modernization efforts by the two regional rivals. India has recently approved a ₹63,000 crore (approximately $8.4 billion) deal to purchase 26 Rafale-M (Marine) fighter jets from France, including 22 single-seater aircraft and four twin-seater variants.
| Feature | Shenyang J-35 (Pakistan) | Dassault Rafale (India) |
| Generation | 5th (Stealth) | 4.5th (Non-stealth) |
| Speed | Mach 1.8–2.2 | Mach 1.8 |
| Radar Cross-Section | 0.01–0.05 m² | ~1 m² |
| Weapons Payload | 8,000 kg | 9,500 kg |
| Missile Range | PL-15 (200 km) | Meteor (150 km) |
| Cost per Unit | ~$100 million | ~$240 million |
| Delivery Timeline | 2025–2027 | 2020–2022 (36 delivered) 12 |
Analysis: While the Rafale boasts superior payload and combat-proven systems, the J-35’s stealth and lower cost has provided Pakistan certainly a good deal.
Engine and Performance: The J-35’s twin WS-19 engines with thrust vectoring technology potentially offer superior maneuverability compared to the Rafale’s Snecma M88 engines. While the Rafale has proven reliability in combat situations, the J-35’s reported maximum speed of 2.2 Mach exceeds the Rafale’s approximately 1.8 Mach capability. The J-35’s operational radius of 1,350 kilometers appears to be competitive with the Rafale-M.
Stealth Capabilities: The most significant difference between the two aircraft is in stealth technology. The J-35, as a purpose-designed stealth fighter, has inherent radar cross-section reduction features with a reported RCS of 0.01 square meters. The Rafale, while incorporating some radar signature reduction techniques, is not a true stealth platform.
Sensors and Avionics: Both aircraft feature advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar systems. The Rafale is equipped with the Thales RBE2 AESA radar and the SPECTRA electronic warfare syste. The J-35 features a gallium oxide active phased array radar, though detailed performance specifications remain less publicly documented than the Rafale’s systems.
Weapons Systems: The Rafale can deploy an impressive arsenal including Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles, MICA air-to-air missiles, and HAMMER air-to-surface standoff weapons. The J-35 is expected to carry China’s latest precision-guided munitions, though specific compatibility details are less widely reported.
Strategic Capabilities and Operational Effectiveness
Mission Flexibility: Both aircraft are designed as multi-role platforms capable of air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions. The Rafale has demonstrated this versatility in actual combat operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, and Syria, while the J-35 remains untested in combat.
Network Integration: The Rafale benefits from integration with NATO and Western data-sharing networks, while the J-35 will likely be compatible with Chinese military networks. For Pakistan, this may represent a shift toward greater interoperability with Chinese military systems.
Electronic Warfare: The Rafale’s SPECTRA system is widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated electronic warfare suites available, providing comprehensive threat detection and countermeasures. The J-35’s electronic warfare capabilities, while advanced, have less publicly available performance data.
Timelines: J-35 and Rafale Deliveries
- Pakistan’s J-35:
- 2024: Pilot training in China began 1.
- 2025: First batch of 10–12 jets delivered.
- 2027: Full fleet operational 1.
- India’s Rafale:
- 2020–2022: All 36 Rafales delivered.
- 2024: India explores additional purchases amid delays in indigenous projects.
Chinese HQ-9B Missile Defense System
The second component of Pakistan’s recent contracts is an advanced Chinese HQ-9B missile defence system, often identified in analysis as the FD‑2000 platform also. Engineered for robust protection against a wide spectrum of missile threats, the system is aimed at reinforcing Pakistan’s layered defence shield.
Key objectives of the missile defence system include:
- Multi‑Layer Protection: The capability to intercept and destroy both ballistic missiles and low‑flying cruise missiles.
- High Mobility and Rapid Deployment: Designed for ease‑of‑transportation and quick field‑deployment.
- Integrated Sensor Networks: Use of advanced radar and command-and-control nodes that facilitate rapid threat assessment and target prioritization.
Photo Courtesy: militarywatchmagazine.com/article/chinas-hq-9-air-defence-system-faces-strenuous-test-against-drones-and-electronic-attacks
Technical Specifications and Performance
Based on open source data, HQ-9B Missile Defense System is expected to showcase the following features:
- Detection and Tracking Systems:
- Radar Technology: A dual‑mode radar system integrating both active phased array and mechanically scanned antenna elements ensures simultaneous tracking of multiple targets with 360° coverage.
- Range and Resolution: The radar can track objects at ranges between 200 to 250 km, with high‑resolution target discrimination capabilities even under cluttered battlefield conditions.
- Interception Capabilities:
- Missile Interceptors: Utilizes advanced guided interceptors, engineered for high‑speed engagement and kinetic hit-to-kill technology. It can engage up to 100 simultaneous threats, including stealth aircraft and cruise missiles
- Engagement Envelope: Effective engagement range varying between 30 km (for short‑range threats) up to 250 km for medium‑range ballistic missiles.
- Command and Control:
- C‑4ISR Network: The platform benefits from a robust C‑4ISR network (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) that integrates with ground‑based and airborne sensors to maintain continuous operational situational awareness.
- Speed and Accuracy: Data fusion from multiple sensor arrays helps reduce reaction time and improves the probability of missile neutralisation.
- Deployment and Mobility:
- Mobility: Designed for mobility, the HQ-9B Missile Defense System is Truck-mounted launchers for rapid deployment, allowing it to be moved quickly to vulnerable regions.
- Designed Integration: Its design emphasizes ease of integration with allied systems, offering both fixed‑site and mobile operational configurations.
These technical and operational specifications are intended to counter diverse missile threats in real‑time, ensuring that the system forms an effective shield against both conventional and more exotic aerial attack profiles.
India’s S‑400 Missile Defence System
- Overview: The S‑400 Triumph is a highly advanced long‑range missile defence system designed by Russia. It has a proven combat record and has been integrated into India’s defence network to provide a multi-layered shield against both aircraft and missile threats.
- Specifications:
- Range: Capable of engaging targets at distances up to 400 km.
- Engagement Capability: Can track and engage multiple targets across different altitude envelopes— from low‑flying cruise missiles to high‑altitude ballistic missiles.
- System Complexity: The S‑400 comprises multiple radar systems and interceptor missile types, each optimized for different threat bands, culminating in a highly redundant and comprehensive defence solution.
- Cost and Operational Considerations: The S‑400 is considered one of the most expensive and technologically sophisticated air defence systems available, with a unit cost reportedly exceeding US $1.2 billion. Its complexity requires significant training and ongoing maintenance, which is reflected in its sustained operating costs.
Comparison: HQ-9B vs. India’s S-400
| Feature | HQ-9B (Pakistan) | S-400 (India) |
| Max Range | 250 km | 400 km |
| Altitude Coverage | 30 km | 30 km |
| Missile Types | FT-2000 (anti-radiation) | 40N6 (ballistic missiles) |
| Cost per Unit | ~$450 million | ~$1.2 billion |
| Delivery Timeline | 2025–2026 | 2021–2025 (deliveries ongoing) |
Analysis: While the S-400 has superior range and versatility, the HQ-9B offers Pakistan a cost-effective shield against India’s aerial threats, particularly Rafales and BrahMos missiles.
Strategic Comparisons
- Technological Innovation vs. Mature Reliability: The S‑400’s proven track record and its extremely long engagement range make it a formidable system; however, its high cost and maintenance complexity mean that operational flexibility can sometimes be constrained. Conversely, the HQ-9B Missile Defense System represents the latest in Chinese missile defence innovation, with a focus on cost‑efficiency and rapid network integration, ideal for emerging regional powers seeking modern systems without incurring the premium associated with Russian or Western platforms, but is yet to prove itself.
- Integration and Future Upgrades: India’s S‑400 will likely evolve with successive software upgrades and integration with indigenous C‑4ISR systems. Similarly, Pakistan is expected to integrate the HQ-9B Missile Defense System within a broader network of Chinese‑supplied and locally upgraded defence systems, ensuring interoperability across different branches of its military.
Chinese HQ-9B Missile Defense System for Pakistan
- 2026–2027: Initial planning and field testing of integrated radar networks and interceptor technologies.
- 2028: First deliveries begin; training of technicians and integration with Pakistan’s national air defence command structure commences.
- 2029–2031: Full deployment of all six HQ-9B Missile Defense System across strategic locations, with a phased approach ensuring complete operational readiness by 2031.
Impact on the Regional Security Landscape
Strategic Implications for Pakistan: The dual acquisition of the J‑35 fighters and the HQ-9B Missile Defense System signals a robust modernization initiative within Pakistan’s armed forces, bolstering both its offensive and defensive capabilities. Key anticipated impacts include:
- Enhanced Air Superiority: The procurement of the J‑35 promises to improve Pakistan’s air combat readiness significantly. Its advanced stealth features and multi‑role configuration will act as a deterrent in any potential aerial confrontation. However, its true worth in actual combat is yet to be tested.
- Integrated Defensive Shield: The HQ-9B Missile Defense System will provide Pakistan with a modern, layered missile defence capability to safeguard critical assets from various aerial threats. This system, when fully integrated into Pakistan’s C‑4ISR network, will improve reaction times and target engagement accuracy.
- Force Multiplier and Deterrence: Together, these acquisitions serve as a force multiplier. The advanced combat aircraft, when operating under the protection of a sophisticated missile defence system, will allow for greater freedom of action in contested airspace, a critical capability in a region where missile and aerial threats are ever‑present.
Repercussions for India and the Broader Region: The timing and nature of Pakistan’s new acquisitions are set against the backdrop of India’s recent modernizations and upgrades:
- Technological and Strategic Parity: India’s procurement of the Rafale and S‑400 systems aimed to secure a technological edge in its air defence capabilities. Pakistan’s simultaneous upgrade with indigenous Chinese technology, however, may narrow this edge, altering the balance in the region.
- Deterrence and Credible Threat Posture: India will have to reassess its strategic posture in light of Pakistan’s enhanced capabilities. In a traditional balance of power, any substantial modernization by one side tends to prompt counter‑modernization measures by the other.
- Potential for Escalation and Arms Race: With both sides investing heavily in next‑generation systems, there is a potential for a regional arms race. Enhanced fighter fleets and more effective missile defence systems could lower the threshold for high‑intensity conflicts in times of crisis, complicating regional security dynamics.
- Increased Emphasis on Network‑Centric Warfare: Both countries are pivoting toward an era of integrated, network‑centred warfare, where rapid data exchange and coordinated defence are pivotal. As Pakistan’s new systems are integrated with Chinese technology, India must intensify its own collaborations and indigenous development programs to maintain a competitive balance.
Countermeasures and Strategic Adaptation in India: In response to these developments, India’s military planners are likely to take several strategic actions:
- Enhancement of Indigenous Capabilities: India may accelerate its indigenous fighter and defence system programs, such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the indigenous missile defence projects, to offset the technological gains of its neighbours.
- Strengthening Alliances and Technological Partnerships: The reliance on established systems like the Rafale and S‑400, procured from trusted allies, may lead India to deepen cooperation with Western and Russian defence industries, ensuring access to the latest upgrades and support systems.
- Revised Tactical Postures: On the operational level, the Indian Air Force need to update its tactical doctrines to better counter the stealth and rapid engagement capabilities of the J‑35, while also refining its integrated air defence strategies to overcome improvements in missile defence architectures.
Concluding Thoughts: A New Era in South Asian Defence Dynamics
The contracts for China’s J‑35 fighter aircraft and the HQ-9B Missile Defense System represent pivotal moves in Pakistan’s drive toward military modernization. With 40 state‑of‑the‑art fighter jets and six advanced missile defence units expected to reshape the country’s aerial combat capabilities, Pakistan is signalling its intent to maintain credible deterrence in a challenging regional security environment. The total deal values approximately US $4-5 billion for the fighters and US $2.6 billion for the missile defence systems, underscored a significant financial investment that reflects broader geopolitical calculations.
Key takeaways include:
- Advanced Technologies for a New Battlefield: The J‑35 and HQ-9B Missile Defense System harness next‑generation stealth, sensor fusion, and rapid engagement capabilities that are indispensable in modern warfare. Together, they not only enhance Pakistan’s offensive reach but also fortify its defence umbrella against emerging missile threats.
- Divergent Approaches to Procurement: While India’s Rafale and S‑400 acquisitions illustrate a strategic preference for established, combat‑proven platforms with a high price‑tag, Pakistan’s approach with the J‑35 and HQ-9B Missile Defense System offers a more cost‑effective, rapidly deployable, and technologically agile alternative. This divergence points to differing operational doctrines and resource allocations.
- Timelines Reflecting Strategic Urgency: With India’s Rafale deliveries having been completed within a short, intensive timeframe and Pakistan’s J‑35 and missile defence system scheduled to be fully operational by 2030 and 2031 respectively, the two nations’ modernization efforts are unfolding on different timetables. These differences in timing may well drive tactical and strategic adjustments on both sides in response to evolving capabilities.
- Regional Impact and The Potential for Escalation: The juxtaposition of these modern acquisitions raises important questions for the broader South Asian theatre. Pakistan’s new systems could compel India to further refine its air defence strategies and invest in next‑generation countermeasures. Moreover, as both countries continue to innovate and adapt, there is an increased risk of an arms race where technological parity shifts rapidly based on breakthrough innovations and integration capabilities.
In summary, the emerging scenario, wherein Pakistan leverages Chinese technology to bolster its air combat and missile defence systems, promises to reshape the strategic balance in South Asia. As this new chapter unfolds, experts will be closely monitoring the performance of the J‑35 fighters and the HQ-9B Missile Defense System during live exercises and eventual field deployments. Meanwhile, India’s response, both in terms of tactical adaptation and accelerated defense modernization, will determine the future trajectory of air‑military dynamics in the region.
