Islamabad, 5 June 2025: FC-31 Stealth Fighter Jets are expected to be delivered to Pakistan in the coming months, as part of a new defense collaboration with China that could reshape the regional air power dynamic, according to defense sources cited by international security analysts.
The aircraft, also known as the Shenyang FC-31 ‘Gyrfalcon’, represents China’s answer to fifth-generation multirole stealth technology.
A senior Pakistani official, speaking to Janes, a respected UK-based defense publication, confirmed that training for Pakistani Air Force (PAF) pilots is already underway in China. However, specific details such as the contract value and date of signing have not yet been disclosed publicly.
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Advanced Missile Capability to Enhance Air Superiority
Further insights revealed that the aircraft will be armed with the PL-17 air-to-air missile, a long-range weapon reportedly capable of engaging targets up to 400 kilometers away. This upgrade is expected to dramatically improve the PAF’s combat reach and beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagement capability.
While Islamabad has not officially confirmed how many aircraft it intends to acquire, earlier assessments by Janes suggested that discussions were ongoing to procure between 30 and 40 FC-31 stealth fighter jets, making it a significant addition to Pakistan’s aerial defense inventory.
This anticipated deployment would mark the first major Chinese military platform to be introduced into the Pakistani arsenal since the heightened tensions between Pakistan and India earlier this year.
That conflict involved cross-border aerial operations, with foreign media including Reuters reporting the downing of several Indian aircraft. An Indian military official was later quoted acknowledging the loss of jets, reinforcing Pakistan’s version of events.
Strengthening Strategic Ties with China
The acquisition of the FC-31 Stealth Fighter Jets underlines the deepening defense partnership between Beijing and Islamabad. The Pakistani fleet already includes the JF-17 Thunder, a jointly developed fighter that has served as a cornerstone of the country’s air strategy.
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As deliveries approach, the integration of the FC-31 is seen not only as a technological leap but also as a signal of Islamabad’s intent to modernize its air force amid evolving regional security challenges.
With Pakistan set to receive this cutting-edge aircraft, military analysts suggest that the FC-31 Stealth Fighter Jets may become a central component in maintaining air deterrence and balancing regional power equations in South Asia.
