Pakistan’s Minister of Defense, Khawaja Asif, has publicly refuted widespread media speculation that his country has finalized an agreement with China to purchase J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighters.
During a televised interview, Asif dismissed the claims as media chatter. When asked about potential deliveries by 2026, he remarked, "I think it is only in the media. It is good for sale, Chinese defence sales, you know," suggesting the reports were more promotional than factual.
The minister's statement addresses a recent surge in unverified reports asserting that Islamabad was set to acquire 40 J-35A jets. These reports included specific but unconfirmed details, such as a heavily discounted price, deliveries commencing as early as August 2025, and the inclusion of advanced PL-17 long-range air-to-air missiles.
This denial is the first official on-the-record response from the Pakistani government regarding the matter. Concurrently, there has been no official confirmation or comment from China’s Ministry of National Defense or the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the jet's manufacturer, as of late June 2025.
While Pakistan remains a key international partner for China's defense industry, regularly acquiring systems like fighter jets and drones, Minister Asif’s firm rejection indicates that a formal procurement deal for stealth aircraft has not been reached. The J-35A is marketed by China as a cost-effective, fifth-generation alternative to Western aircraft like the F-35.
