Introduction: Strategic Skies or Social Media Smoke?
In May 2025, defense circles and online platforms were abuzz with sensational reports: China and Pakistan had allegedly conducted joint test flights of the stealth J-35A "Gyrfalcon" fighter jets over the strategically sensitive region of Gilgit-Baltistan. The narrative included claims of integrated radar suppression, AWACS interception, and satellite-guided exercises carried out by Pakistani and Chinese pilots operating side-by-side.
Such claims, if true, signal a new era of strategic aerial fusion between Islamabad and Beijing. But how much of it is real, and how much is inflated hype?
The J-35A Deal:
What Pakistan Has Officially Secured In late 2024, credible defense analysts confirmed that Pakistan signed an agreement to acquire up to 40 J-35A stealth fighters from China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. This fifth-generation aircraft is engineered to rival the American F-35 and represents a milestone in China’s efforts to export advanced military hardware.
Estimated Delivery: Within 2 years
Intended Role: Counter India's Rafale advantage and bolster Pakistan's air superiority
Pilot Training: Underway in China for Pakistani Air Force personnel
These aircraft feature low-observable design, advanced avionics, and the capability to carry PL-15E long-range air-to-air missiles.
Debunking the Gilgit-Baltistan Test Flight Claims Despite widespread online reports, no credible source or official statement has substantiated the alleged joint test flights over Gilgit-Baltistan.
Key points include:
No confirmed visual or radar evidence of J-35A activity in the region
No official acknowledgment from Chinese or Pakistani defense ministries
Absence of satellite imagery or military tracking data validating these claims
While the idea of live-fire exercises and joint stealth operations is strategically tantalizing, current evidence suggests that these reports are speculative at best.
Why the J-35 Still Shifts South Asia’s Balance of Power Regardless of the Gilgit-Baltistan rumors, the arrival of the J-35A in Pakistan's arsenal is poised to alter South Asia's air power dynamics significantly.
Rafale vs. J-35:
The Contest Intensifies India's Rafale fighters currently give the Indian Air Force a qualitative edge. However, the stealth and missile capabilities of the J-35, particularly with the PL-15E, pose a formidable challenge.
Doctrinal Evolution of the PAF With the integration of fifth-generation aircraft, the Pakistan Air Force is expected to modernize its doctrine, incorporating enhanced stealth tactics, electronic warfare, and beyond-visual-range engagements.
Strategic Impact on Regional Flashpoints Enhanced Pakistan-China air cooperation could influence the military calculus along sensitive flashpoints like Siachen, Ladakh, and the Line of Control.
Conclusion: Strategic Integration or Theatrics?
The notion of seamless aerial integration between China and Pakistan via the J-35A is compelling but currently unsupported by verifiable data. Until satellite footage or official confirmation surfaces, the joint flights remain more myth than reality.
Still, the confirmed acquisition of the J-35A signals a transformative shift for the Pakistan Air Force and regional military equilibrium. Whether in the air or in perception, the J-35A's arrival demands close scrutiny from New Delhi and beyond.