India missed an opportunity, Pakistan’s JF-17 has become a game changer

The 4.5 generation fighter jet JF-17 is now the center of interest of several countries.

The opportunity that was once missed for India has today become a major military advantage for Pakistan. The JF-17 fighter jet, built with the help of China, is now the center of interest in the international market. One country after another is showing interest in buying this fighter jet due to its modern capabilities at a relatively low cost. And this is creating a new reality in the military balance of South Asia.

Indian media Zee News says that the 4.5 generation fighter jet JF-17 is now the center of interest of several countries. Pakistan is producing this fighter jet in its own country and is also using it in moderate numbers in its own air force.

Small and developing countries looking for an effective fighter jet at a relatively low price are turning to the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet. Various reports say that Saudi Arabia may buy this fighter jet from Pakistan in exchange for a loan.

China's fighter development program began in the 1970s. The J-8 fighter first flew in 1979. In the 1990s, China modernized its air force by acquiring Russian Sukhoi-27s. This later served as the basis for the domestic J-11 fighter jet project.

The Russian Sukhoi-35 is a single-seat, twin-engine multirole fighter. It has 4.5 generation capabilities as well as some fifth generation features. The aircraft can fly at a maximum speed of 2,400 km/h, can detect targets from a distance of about 400 km, and can simultaneously hit 30 targets. It can carry about 8,000 kg of weapons, including R-37M missiles. The aircraft has been widely used in the war in Ukraine.

In 2015, China purchased 24 Sukhoi-35 fighter jets from Russia for about $2 billion. According to experts, one of the main objectives of this move was to ensure that India could not buy this fighter jet and the platform. China used the technology of this fighter jet to develop the JF-17 fighter jet and gave Pakistan the rights to manufacture it.

Pakistan is currently marketing the JF-17 fighter jet to various countries, including Bangladesh, including Arab countries. Although Russia expressed concerns about the transfer of technology, Moscow took a cautious stance due to its strategic partnership with China, unlike Western powers. China itself bought a limited number of Sukhoi-35s, which deprived India of the opportunity to acquire similar fighter jets.

On the other hand, India is still working on its own Tejas fighter jet project. Almost four decades after the project began in the 1980s, only two squadrons have been effectively deployed so far.

In addition, although the improved version Tejas Mk-1A has been developed and 180 fighter jets have been ordered, deliveries have not yet started. In addition, work on the Tejas Mk-2 and MKA projects is also ongoing. And it is expected that it will take more time to implement them.