China to Deliver FC-31 Gyrfalcon Stealth Fighters to Pakistan Within Months

In a major development for regional air power dynamics, Pakistan is set to receive advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter jets from China within the coming months. According to recent confirmations from Pakistani government officials, the long-anticipated FC-31 Gyrfalcon stealth aircraft will soon begin joining the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) as part of its ongoing fleet modernization program.

Pakistan had first hinted at this acquisition in 2024 during the induction of other Chinese-made military aircraft and transport planes. While the specific deal structure and financial terms have not been publicly disclosed, earlier reports suggest that Pakistan could acquire between 30 to 40 units of the FC-31, marking a significant leap in its air combat capabilities.

About the FC-31 Gyrfalcon

Developed by China’s state-owned Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the FC-31 Gyrfalcon is a fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter jet designed for both air superiority and strike missions. Originally intended for service with China’s own air and naval forces, the FC-31 has gained international attention as China’s answer to American fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 Lightning II.

Key Specifications:

• Length: 17 meters (56 feet)

• Wingspan: 12 meters (38 feet)

• Height: 4.8 meters (15.7 feet)

• Maximum Speed: Mach 1.8 (approximately 2,223 km/h or 1,381 mph)

• Operational Range: 2,000 kilometers (3,219 miles)

• Service Ceiling: 16,000 meters (52,493 feet)

• Engines: Twin Klimov RD-93 or WS-13E afterburning turbofans

Advanced Features:

The FC-31 boasts low radar cross-section (RCS) stealth design, enabling it to evade enemy detection. It is equipped with state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems, infrared search and track (IRST), and an advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

The aircraft has internal weapon bays and multiple hardpoints on its wings, allowing it to carry a mix of air-to-air missiles, guided bombs, and supersonic multi-domain missiles.

A particularly notable addition to the Pakistani fleet will be the inclusion of the PL-17 long-range air-to-air missile on these jets. The PL-17 reportedly has a range of over 400 kilometers (249 miles), giving Pakistan’s air force a significant edge in beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagements.

Strategic Importance:

For Pakistan, acquiring the FC-31 represents a significant boost in its capability to counter regional threats and maintain a credible deterrent, particularly in light of India’s own modernization programs, which include the indigenous HAL Tejas Mk1A, upcoming Tejas Mk2, and the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project.

The addition of these stealth fighters, coupled with long-range weaponry and electronic warfare systems, is expected to considerably enhance Pakistan’s defensive and offensive aerial operations.