Tensions between India and Pakistan have remained high since May, after border clashes and Indian air strikes on Pakistani military sites. In this backdrop, global media reported that Pakistan was set to become the first foreign customer of China’s fifth-generation J-35A stealth fighter jet. However, Islamabad has denied any such agreement, calling the reports speculative. Analysts suggest the claims was just a part of China’s strategy to promote the aircraft globally and draw interest from other potential buyers.
China’s wider messaging campaign includes Rafale narrative
The denial of the J-35A deal also comes amid reports that China has been actively working to discredit the French-made Rafale fighter jets following their use in the India-Pakistan clashes in May. According to findings from a French intelligence agency, Chinese defence attachés stationed in embassies abroad were instructed to raise doubts about the Rafale’s combat performance. The aim, officials believe, was to discourage countries like Indonesia from expanding their Rafale orders and to promote Chinese alternatives in global arms markets.
Reports of Pakistan buying J-35A at 50% discount
In June 2025, Bloomberg and other international outlets reported that Pakistan had agreed to buy the J-35A stealth jet, developed by China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. The reports described Pakistan as the first overseas buyer of the aircraft. Following the news, shares of AVC Shenyang Aircraft Corporation rose 10 percent, suggesting positive market sentiment around a potential breakthrough in China’s defence exports.
According to earlier reports, Pakistan was planning to buy 40 J-35A jets at a discounted price, under a so-called “flash sale” offer. These reports suggested that deliveries could begin as early as August 2025 and that the deal included liberal payment terms. The J-35A is equipped with AESA radar and PL-17 long-range missiles and is often compared to the U.S. F-35 in terms of capability.
Pakistan officially rejects the reports
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif addressed the issue in a televised interview, stating that there was no such agreement. “I think it is only in the media. It is good for sale, Chinese defence sales, you know,” Asif said, indirectly suggesting the story was intended to promote China’s defence industry.
Conflicting reports from defence sources
Despite Asif’s denial, earlier unnamed defence sources had claimed that the Pakistan Air Force had approved the acquisition and that pilot training had begun in China. The J-35A was said to be part of a plan to counterbalance India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, which is expected to become operational only after 2035.
Pakistan’s economic constraints may have influenced denial
Pakistan is currently facing serious financial challenges. Under IMF oversight, the government raised its defence budget by 20% to PKR 2.5 trillion but cancelled 118 development projects worth PKR 1,000 billion. The overall national budget was cut by 7% to PKR 17.57 trillion (about USD 62 billion). Publicly distancing from a high-value arms deal helps Islamabad present an image of fiscal discipline.
China remains the largest arms supplier to Pakistan
Roughly 80% of Pakistan’s military hardware comes from China. Systems like the J-10C fighter jet and HQ-9 air defence units were used in recent India-Pakistan confrontations. If acquired, the J-35A would further deepen Pakistan’s defence reliance on China and strengthen strategic ties between the two countries.
Minister’s past statements remain under scrutiny
Khawaja Asif has been criticised in the past for unverified claims. During an earlier CNN interview on Operation Sindoor, he said Indian jets were shot down. “It’s all over social media, on Indian social media, not on our social media. The debris of these jets fell into Kashmir. And it’s all over Indian media today and they have admitted,” he said, without providing official proof. He also referenced the JF-17 and JF-10 aircraft, without f ..
Strategic messaging or misinformation?
The lack of official confirmation from either China’s Ministry of Defence or Shenyang Aircraft Corporation has led some analysts to conclude that the reports may serve a broader strategic purpose. Promoting a possible sale to Pakistan could help China draw attention to the J-35A and attract interest from countries like Egypt or Algeria.
As of now, there is no official agreement confirmed between Pakistan and China regarding the acquisition of the J-35A stealth fighter jet. The situation highlights how unverified defence claims can influence regional military perceptions and serve geopolitical marketing objectives.
Source Name : Economic Times