The so-called first batch of J-35A delivered to Pakistan is completely wishful thinking of Pakistani media.
PAF's goal has always been self-defense and limited counterattack rather than large-scale air combat. The J-10CE record just proves that PAF has sufficient capabilities in fighter jets, they just need to buy some more J-10CE to improve fleet redundancy instead of buying J-35A which is way more unaffordable economically.
Before the IAF had the Meteor and fifth-gen fighters, the IAF does not have the ability to threaten the PAF in a "pure missile exchange" scenario. The difference between the J-10CE and the J-35A is only "can search&lock but cannot reach the launch distance" and "cannot search&lock and cannot reach the launch distance"
Buying the expensive one instead of the right one is precisely the problem with IAF, and PAF should take a lesson from it
PAF's goal has always been self-defense and limited counterattack rather than large-scale air combat. The J-10CE record just proves that PAF has sufficient capabilities in fighter jets, they just need to buy some more J-10CE to improve fleet redundancy instead of buying J-35A which is way more unaffordable economically.
Before the IAF had the Meteor and fifth-gen fighters, the IAF does not have the ability to threaten the PAF in a "pure missile exchange" scenario. The difference between the J-10CE and the J-35A is only "can search&lock but cannot reach the launch distance" and "cannot search&lock and cannot reach the launch distance"
Buying the expensive one instead of the right one is precisely the problem with IAF, and PAF should take a lesson from it
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