ISLAMABAD – Chinese aircraft remain instrumental in improving the skills of Pakistan Air Force pilots, amplifying to their excellence and expertise, and rumours are rife that Pakistan Air Force eyes Chinese J-31/FC-31 combat aircraft.
Islamabad remains a notable buyer of fighter planes from Beijing, and Sino-Pak JF-17 Thunder symbolizes the pinnacle of modern aerial warfare technology.
Reports shared by several aviation publications suggest that considering the finest avionics, state-of-the-art weaponry, and modern electronic warfare systems, Pakistan Air Force hinted at the next move to upgrade fighter jets with Shenyang J-31 fighter, the twinjet 5th-generation fighter aircraft capable of providing advanced defence capabilities in close-air support, aerial bombing and air interdiction operations.
Unverified reports quoting Pakistan Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu said the foundation to get the J-31 stealth fighter has been completed, and it will become part of PAF’s fleet.
The development was followed by the Pakistan Air Force Induction and Operationalization Ceremony in which Pakistan Air Force inducted new batch of J-10C fighter jets to bolster country’s aerial defence capabilities.
Besides the reports being shared online, the Director General Public Relations Pakistan Air Force or any other official has not shared any update about the addition of J-31 jets.
J-31 also known as Shenyang J-31 was intended to strengthen stealth abilities, as its features make it less visible to radar systems with limited detection in contested environments.
The air superiority and multirole capabilities made it as finest option for Pakistan and its air-to-air combat and ground attack prowess cannot be ignored. It is capable to carry weapons on external hardpoints, various air-to-air missiles, including the PL-15 medium-range missiles and PL-10 short-range missiles.
It has been learnt, Islamabad is expected to ink contract with Iron Brother to get J-31 just around the time the first batches of J-31s begin rolling out for export.
