Bad news for Pakistan, China as India eyes to purchase…, it is called…, has ability to evade…

The United States has offered India its advanced F-35A fighter jets. At the same time, India is working on its own fifth-generation stealth fighter jet program, called AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft). This project aims to develop a state-of-the-art stealth fighter jet for the Indian Air Force. Currently, only the US, Russia, and China have operational stealth fighter jets. Meanwhile, Turkey is also developing its own stealth fighter jet, named KAAN, and has proposed joint production with Pakistan.

This development has raised concerns for India because both of its rivals, China and Pakistan, could end up with different types of fifth-generation fighter jets. China already possesses two advanced stealth fighters, the J-20 and J-35, and last year, Pakistan announced plans to purchase 40 J-35s from China.

Having two different types of stealth fighters in the hands of neighboring adversaries could be a serious challenge for India. However, if India decides to buy the F-35A from the US, it would significantly boost its air power. The reason is that the F-35A is far ahead in technology compared to China’s and Turkey’s stealth jets. Moreover, once India completes its AMCA project—equipped with cutting-edge technology—the Indian Air Force will become even more powerful, making it a formidable force against China, Pakistan, and Turkey.

Pakistan’s fifth-generation fighter jet plans

Pakistan has been exploring options to acquire fifth-generation fighter jets, but how it will afford them remains a big question. Operating such advanced aircraft is extremely expensive—even India is struggling to allocate enough funds for its own fighter jet program. Given Pakistan’s ongoing economic crisis, where even basic necessities are hard to afford, it is unclear how the country will finance these high-tech warplanes.

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Despite this, if Pakistan manages to buy the J-35A stealth fighter from China and the KAAN stealth fighter from Turkey—and if India purchases the F-35A Lightning II from the US while also developing its own AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft)—the balance of air power in South Asia will shift permanently. A combined fleet of India’s F-35A and AMCA would not only counter Pakistan’s growing air capabilities but also provide India with superior air dominance, stealth capabilities, and network-centric warfare technology.

If India proceeds with purchasing the F-35A, it will mark the first time the country has included an American fighter jet in its fleet. Currently, India does not operate any US  made fighter aircraft. The F-35A is equipped with top-tier stealth technology, advanced sensor fusion, and electronic warfare capabilities. These features would give India a massive advantage by allowing its jets to remain undetected while effectively preventing Pakistani aircraft from even entering Indian airspace.

With its powerful AN/APG-81 AESA radar and Distributed Aperture System (DAS), the F-35A can track stealth aircraft like China’s J-35A and Turkey’s KAAN, making India’s air force even more formidable in the region.

China and Pakistan’s fighter jets could become useless!

The biggest advantage of India acquiring the F-35A would be that it neutralizes the stealth capabilities of Chinese and Turkish fifth-generation jets. These aircraft rely on their ability to evade radar detection, but if that advantage is lost, they become much easier to shoot down.

India could equip its stealth fighters with advanced indigenous missiles like Astra Mk2, Astra Mk3, and even future hypersonic missiles, creating a devastating air fleet. Additionally, if India secures the F-35A before Pakistan, it will be the first in the region to operate fifth-generation jets, rendering Pakistan’s stealth fighter ambitions meaningless.

If India moves forward with purchasing the American jet, Pakistan could be caught in a tough spot. So far, Pakistan has only announced its plans to buy Chinese fifth-generation fighters; it hasn’t actually purchased them. The cost of acquiring and maintaining 40 stealth jets is enormous—can Pakistan really afford it? The country is already dependent on IMF loans for survival.

If India buys the F-35A, Pakistan would feel pressured to follow suit, even if it means taking on billions more in debt. Strategically, this would be an advantage for India. Moreover, India’s AMCA program ensures it continues developing its own indigenous capabilities. A combination of F-35A, AMCA, and Rafale F4 would significantly strengthen India’s dominance over South Asia and the Indo-Pacific.