Opinion | Pakistan and the US factor as China looks to sell its J-35 stealth jets

for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets. The deal is for data link systems, new encryption gear and a refit that keeps the jets flying until 2040. The notice says Pakistan can protect the technology to “substantially the same degree” as the US government.

Last month, the US published the fine print of a US$686 million upgrade deal

The Pakistan Air Force is also the only declared interested buyer

The Chinese jet first flew at the Zhuhai air show in 2024, and may well appear again when the biennial event

returns in December. Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has been pitching it as a cheaper F-35 – America’s stealth fighter jet.