2024-10-05 05:42:16
Islamabad: Pakistan is busy increasing the strength of its Air Force. Pakistani Air Force (PAF) has decided to purchase China‘s fifth generation fighter jet <a href="https://time.news/will-india-purchase-russian-sukhoi-su-57-fighter-jets-to-counter-china-j-20-mighty-dragon-2024-06-20-000042/" title="Will India purchase Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets to counter China J-20 Mighty Dragon
– 2024-06-20 00:00:42″>FC-31. Pakistani defense experts believe that with this, Pakistan Air Force will be many years ahead of India. According to retired Pakistani Air Force officer Air Commodore Zia ul Haq Shamshi, if Pakistan acquires FC-31, it will be 12-14 years ahead of India. This will give a strategic advantage to the Indian Air Force. He said, ‘It is not expected that India will be able to get the fifth generation fighter aircraft within that period, which will give a significant strategic edge to Pakistan.’ This aircraft has been manufactured by China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. Earlier this year, the Pakistani Air Force had indicated that it would buy fifth generation fighter jets from China.
Pakistan will buy FC-31
Pakistan Air Force Chief of Staff Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu had reportedly mentioned at an event last year that the FC-31 would soon be inducted into the air force. He had said, ‘Earlier talks have been held regarding the acquisition of FC-31, which will soon become a part of the Pakistani Air Force.’ Recently Pakistani media claimed that PAF has already sent a group of pilots to China for training on FC-31.
India does not have fifth generation jets
The FC-31 fighter jet is the second stealth fighter aircraft developed by China after the J-20 ‘Mighty Dragon’. It is not designed for export. Especially it will be used by the Chinese Air Force. With the induction of FC-31, the list of Chinese fighter planes with Pakistan will further increase. There have been reports that Pakistani pilots are taking training on FC-31. This clearly shows that a feud is brewing between China and Pakistan regarding the fifth generation aircraft.
This is going to increase India’s concern. It currently has 4.5 generation fighter aircraft like Sukhoi Su-30 MKI and Rafale. Pakistani experts say that with the purchase of FC-31, Pakistan wants to replace its American F-16 and French Mirage 5.