India to consider Su-57 now
(MENAFN) The British F-35B fighter jet that made an emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala nearly a month ago is finally undergoing repairs by a UK technical team. If the repairs fail, the jet will be dismantled and likely transported via a C-17 Globemaster.
This incident has been closely monitored by Indian and global security circles, underscoring the complexity of the F-35 platform and its dependence on specialized maintenance and strict security protocols during disassembly to prevent data leaks.
The F-35’s grounding in India comes amid heightened regional tensions. Just two months prior, India and Pakistan were involved in a four-day military standoff, highlighting the critical role of air superiority. Both sides claimed to have downed each other's aircraft during the standoff.
Against this backdrop, Pakistan announced plans to procure approximately 40 Chinese J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighters, with potential deliveries starting as early as August 2025. Reports suggest that Pakistani Foreign Minister and Deputy PM Ishaq Dar finalized key details of the deal during a visit to China following the ceasefire. However, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif denied the deal’s finalization, dismissing reports as “media chatter.”
If it proceeds, the J-35 sale would mark China’s first export of such aircraft, potentially bundled with KJ-500 early warning planes and HQ-19 missile defense systems. Reports suggest Pakistan may be receiving the package at a nearly 50% discount, valuing it around $4.6 billion. Questions persist over how cash-strapped Pakistan, heavily reliant on IMF loans, could fund such a purchase. Though speculative for now, the sale would be a landmark for China’s defense exports, despite only a small number of J-35s being produced so far and China's own air force only beginning to induct them.
If Pakistan acquires these jets, it would reshape the region’s air power balance, pressuring India to accelerate its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, currently projected for 2035. This growing threat has sparked renewed debate in India over the urgent need for an interim fifth-generation solution, such as acquiring Russia’s Su-57 fighter.
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