The strategic balance in South Asia is once again shifting. With Pakistan and China strengthening their defense ties, a new and potentially game-changing development has surfaced. Reports suggest that Pakistan is on the verge of receiving its first batch of J-35A stealth fighter jets from China — a fifth-generation aircraft aimed at rivaling the American F-35.
At the same time, newly leaked satellite and ground images have shocked defense analysts. These visuals suggest that China has now integrated its top-tier J-20 stealth fighter with a powerful new missile — the PL-21. This next-generation Very Long Range Air-to-Air Missile (VLRAAM) is said to far outclass the current PL-15 missile in both range and speed.
PL-21: A Hypersonic Threat from the Skies
The PL-21 is believed to have an operational range of 300 to 400 kilometers, with some reports suggesting even more. Traveling at speeds of up to Mach 4, this missile is specifically designed to target high-value assets such as AWACS, aerial refueling tankers, and command & control aircraft — crucial components in any modern air force network.
Analysts fear that if this missile is integrated with the J-35A stealth fighters that Pakistan is set to acquire, it could create serious challenges for India’s defense readiness. Given that Pakistan has already outfitted its J-10C fleet with PL-15 missiles, it’s highly likely that the J-35A will also be equipped with PL-21s in the near future.
India’s Strategic Wake-Up Call
While Pakistan bolsters its air power with cutting-edge Chinese technology, India currently lacks any operational VLRAAMs capable of rivaling the PL-21. Aircraft like the Su-30MKI must still fly relatively close to enemy territory to engage targets — a serious disadvantage in the age of stealth and ultra-long-range weaponry.
India is working on indigenous solutions like the Astra Mk-3 and SFDR (Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet) missiles, but rapid development and deployment are now more urgent than ever. If the China-Pakistan high-tech combination becomes fully operational in the Indo-Pacific region, it could alter the strategic dynamics of the entire area.
Read More: No Bullets, No Bombs — Yet Pakistan Faces Devastation: 20 Dead, 150 Injured
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