In a significant development coming just days after the military conflict between India and Pakistan, China has fast-tracked the delivery of its advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter jets – J-35A – to Islamabad, reported News18.
The report quoted diplomatic sources calling it a “reward” for Pakistan’s role in the skirmish. The move signals an acceleration of China-Pakistan defence cooperation amid escalating regional tensions and Beijing’s growing strategic interest in South Asia.
The sources further told that Pakistan was expected to receive the first batch of 30 J-35A jets as early as August this year.
The timeline marks an expedited delivery compared to the previously anticipated schedule. Pakistan's Foreign Minister and Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, who is currently in China on an official visit, is believed to have finalised the logistics and financing details of the procurement deal during high-level meetings with Chinese military and political officials.
What makes the deal even more remarkable is the financial arrangement offered by Beijing. Sources confirm that China has agreed to a 50% discount on the fighter jets, coupled with lenient payment terms — a clear indication of the strategic value China places on its military partnership with Pakistan.
The discount is a symbolic gesture by Beijing in recognition of what it calls Pakistan's “successful air defence performance against India.”
Late last year, it was reported that Pakistan was planning to procure 40 J-35A fighter jets, marking the first known export of such advanced military technology by China.
According to the News18 report, a cohort of Pakistan Air Force pilots has already been dispatched to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force headquarters in Beijing for operational conversion training on the J-35A platform.
Following the announcement of ceasefire between India and Pakistan, there have been several high-profile meetings between Chinese and Pakistani officials and ministers and officials, where they seem to have discussed complex regional security dynamics, including Indian airpower modernisation.
Alongside the fighter jet agreement, Chinese officials have committed to investing $25 billion in Pakistan’s civil and military infrastructure. This major financial push is part of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), aimed at deepening strategic and economic ties between the two nations. Diplomatic sources say Islamabad has pledged enhanced security and streamlined operational access for Chinese interests at Gwadar Port in return.
Notably, China had criticised Operation Sindoor, in which Indian Armed Forces had dismantled several terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. After denying the involvement of Chinese jets in India-Pakistan military conflict, Pakistan Deputy PM Ishaq Dar yesterday acknowledged the deployment of fighter jetsb by the Pakistani Air Force.
Beijing on Tuesday said it supports Islamabad in defending "national sovereignty and territorial integrity." Wang called Pakistan an "ironclad friend" and vowed to deepen the "all-weather strategic cooperative partnership" between the two countries, a readout from China's foreign ministry said.
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