Kumar Bahukhandi
FC-31 fighter jets will reach Pakistan in 12-18 months (symbolic picture)
Pakistan can buy 34-36 FC-31 aircraft from China, which China will send to Pakistan in batches of 6 each in the next one and a half years.
Amid tensions with India, Pakistan is preparing to induct fifth-generation stealth fighter jets to increase the strength of its Air Force (PAF). In a few months, the Pakistani Air Force will receive Shenyang FC-31 Gyrofalcon stealth fighter jets, which will be equipped with PL-17 missiles.
Defense affairs website JANES has given this information quoting a senior Pakistani official. The official says that in a few months China will start delivering aircraft to Pakistan and Pakistani Air Force pilots are still training to fly fifth generation fighter jets in China. The official has not disclosed when the deal was made.
It is believed that FC-31 is the export variant of the Chinese J-35A fifth generation stealth fighter jet. In November last year, China presented the J-35A aircraft to the world for the first time at the Zhuhai Air Show, after which a lot of discussions started and it was compared to the American F-35.
Last month in May, another Pakistani government official gave important information about the FC-31 that this stealth aircraft will be equipped with Chinese air-to-air missiles PL-17. The range of PL-17 is up to 400 kilometers. In December last year, there were also reports that China would send 40 J-35A aircraft to Pakistan in two years. Pakistan can buy 30-36 FC-31 aircraft, which will come from China to Pakistan in batches of 6-6 in the next 12-18 months.
What is the FC-31 Gyrofalcon fighter jet?
The FC-31 Gyrofalcon is a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, built by the Chinese company Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. It was made to compete with America’s J-35 and J-20. It has a stealth design, AESA radar and internal weapons, which helps in evading radar.
Features of FC-31 Gyrofalcon-
Speed- It flies at a speed of Mach 1.8 i.e. 2,200 km/h.
Range- 1,200 km (1,900 km after refueling in the air)
Capacity- It can be fitted with PL-17 missile, which has a range of 400 km and can attack from a distance by evading the radar. It has 6-6 external and internal hardpoints, in which weapons weighing a total of 10 thousand kilograms can be loaded. 12 medium range air-to-air missiles can be fitted. 8 supersonic air-to-ground attack bombs and 8 deep-penetration bombs of 500 kg can be fitted or 30 small bombs.
Weight- It can take off with a weight of 28 thousand kilograms.
Engine- Its WS-19 engine gives 12 tonnes of thrust.
India’s strategy
India is working rapidly to deal with threats like fifth generation stealth aircraft. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a competitive model for AMCA, whose prototype will be ready by 2026-27. AMCA Mk1 (partial stealth) will be ready by 2030 and Mk2 (full stealth) by 2035.
As far as FC-31 is concerned, it has some flaws along with its features, which is a matter of relief for India. Its stealth is not as advanced as J-20 or F-35. Pakistani Air Force will have problems of logistics and training in quickly inducting new jets and this expensive project is a big challenge in front of Pakistan’s weak economy.
