Pakistan will buy 30-40 Chinese Made Shenyang J31 Stealth aircraft and Chinese Made Z-10 Attack Helicopter

The Air Force of Pakistan expressed its interest in the procurement of the fourth generation FC-31 a stealth fighter aircraft made in China. This was said by the Minister for Defense Production Tanveer Hussain on the newspersons on the matter that was discussed with the Chinese authorities.

For first time ever, a senior government functionary confirmed talks with the China authorities over the purchase of longer—range stealth aircraft. An issue has been subject of speculation in the defense circles since 10th edition of Zhuhai Air Show in China that was held this month, when the said aircraft was recently unveiled.

Jane’s Defence quoted unnamed Pakistani official saying that PAF was then holding talks with the China authorities for the planned procurement of 30 — 40 units of Shenyang FC—31 planes.

The Chinas’s FC—31 being developed by the China engineers primarily for export market. The Chinese officials also claim that several countries expressed interest in the unveiled aircraft that believed to be comparable to the US F—35 Joint Strike Fighter. This is a prototype of aircraft, designated as the J—31, flown by Chinese aircraft research firm Shenyang Aviation Company for couple of years.

What interests PAF is FC-31 prototype and JF—17 use same Russian Klimov RD—93 engines, the Pakistan increasingly relying on China as reliable source for its defense procurements. China and Pakistan had co—produced a JF-17 Thunder. The Pakistan has eagerly trying to market this produced fighter aircraft.