Pakistan considers buying 30-40 stealth fighters from China

Pakistan is interested in acquiring a stealth fighter and has expressed interest in the newly unveiled Chinese FC-31. Pakistan is one of several countries interested in the new Chinese fighter - the first stealth aircraft available for export without US or Russian restrictions.

By
Tamir Eshel
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Shenyang FC-31 is positioned as China's '4 generation stealth fighter'. When development is completed, the FC-31 will not stand up to be an F-35 competitor but will provide limited stealth capabilities with 4th generation avionics, at an affordable cost - all are important capabilities that could provide air forces a limited capability to offset the superiority of 5th Generation fighters. Photo: Weimeng
Shenyang FC-31 is positioned as China’s ‘4 generation stealth fighter’. When development is completed, the FC-31 will provide limited stealth capability with 4th generation avionics, at an affordable cost – all are important capabilities enabling air forces to diminish some of the advantages of 5th Generation fighters such as the F-35 and T-50. Photo: Weimeng

Pakistan is interested in acquiring a stealth fighter and has expressed interest in the newly unveiled Chinese FC-31. the Pakistani Dawn publication quoted Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain saying the matter was being discussed with Chinese authorities. According to media reports Pakistan is interested in acquiring 30-40 Shenyang FC-31s, an aircraft developed by China primarily for the export market.

A stealth fighter could provide Pakistan (and China) with limited strike capability within the Indian sub continent, since India currently lacks viable counter stealth radar capability

The export version of the new stealth fighter will be powered by two Russian Klimov RD-93 engines, the same engine that powers the JF-17 Thunder operated by the Pakistani Air Force. Mr Hussain added that Pakistan was also interested in Chinese Z-10 helicopter gunship.

[ismember]A stealth fighter could offset some of the Indian air superiority over Pakistan, maintained through the use of hundreds of Su-30MKIs and the future T50/FGFA that Russian is developing for the Indian Air Force (a program referred to as ‘joint development’).

A stealth fighter could provide Pakistan (and China) with limited strike capability within the Indian sub continent, since India currently lacks viable counter stealth radar capability.[/ismember]

The FC-31 was unveiled at the recent Airshow China 2014. Pakistan is one of several countries interested in the new stealth fighter. photo: Huanqiu
The FC-31 was unveiled at the recent Airshow China 2014. Pakistan is one of several countries interested in the new stealth fighter. photo: Huanqiu

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