Pakistan Air Force has sent a group of its pilots to undergo training in Chinese-made fifth gen stealth J-35A.

(DEFENCE AFFAIRS) — Pakistan's decision to acquire up to 40 Chinese-made fifth-generation fighter jets, the J-35A, will give the country's air force an advantage in terms of its air power capabilities compared to those of its traditional "enemy", India.

According to former senior Pakistani Air Force officer Air Commodore (Retd) Zia Ul Haque Shamshi, with the acquisition of the J-35A fighter aircraft, the Pakistani Air Force will have an advantage over the Indian Air Force for between 12 and 14 years.

"India is not expected to acquire fifth-generation fighter aircraft capabilities within that period (12 to 14 years), thus giving the Pakistan Air Force a strategic advantage," he said.

Early last year, the Pakistan Air Force hinted that it would acquire the J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighter jet developed by Chinese aerospace company Shenyang Aircraft Corporation.

Pakistan Air Force Chief of Staff Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu reportedly said at a ceremony early this year that the home-made J-35A aircraft would enter service with the country's air force "very soon."

"Negotiations have already been held to enable the procurement of J-35A aircraft, which will soon become part of the Pakistan Air Force," he said at the event.

There are reports that Beijing will accelerate the delivery of the J-35A fifth-generation fighter jet to Pakistan as early as next year and not within two years.

Beijing is said to have recognized the need for Islamabad to acquire the fighter jet quickly and agreed to expedite its delivery.

Recently, Pakistani media reported that the Pakistan Air Force has already sent a group of its pilots to undergo training in flying the Chinese-made second-generation fighter jet, the J-35A.

The J-35A is the second fighter aircraft made in China after the J-20 "Mighty Dragon" which is not exported and is only used by the Chinese Air Force.

The acquisition of the fifth-generation J-35A stealth fighter will only increase the holdings of Chinese fighter aircraft in the Pakistan Air Force's inventory after the country also acquired the Chinese-developed J-10C fighter aircraft and the JF-17 jointly developed by Islamabad and Beijing.

The statement by Pakistani media that the country's air force has begun sending its pilots to China to fly the J-35A fighter jet proves that the South Asian country is indeed moving towards owning a fifth-generation fighter jet.

Pakistan's move has angered its neighbors and "traditional enemies", India still relying on 4.5 generation fighter jets such as the Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Rafale.

Not only does India have to face China which already operates the fifth generation fighter aircraft, the J-20, but now it is likely to face Pakistan which will operate the fifth generation fighter aircraft.