2024-02-17 12:06:08
Pakistan intends to purchase a batch of FC-31 (Shenyang J-31) stealth fighters from China to modernize and expand the combat capabilities of the national air force. The command of the Pakistani Air Force announced this in a press release, Day.Az reports with reference to TASS.
“The acquisition of the fifth-generation FC-31 stealth fighter aircraft will be a key milestone in the strategic transformation of the Pakistan Air Force, the foundation for which has already been laid,” the press release said.
Earlier, Pakistan Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu said that the FC-31 fighter jets will enter service in the near future.
Developed by the State Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the FC-31 is a single-seat, twin-engine, medium-stealth fighter that experts say is comparable to the American F-35 fighter jet produced by Lockheed Martin.
The length of the FC-31 is 16.9 m, wingspan – 11.5 m, maximum take-off weight – 25 tons, load weight – 8 tons, service ceiling – 18,200 m, range – 1,200 km. The fighter is armed with high-precision bombs and missiles for various purposes. According to media reports, the cost of the FC-31 is about $70 million.