China's 50% Discounted J-35 Deal To Pakistan Sparks Outrage, Netizens Ask 'How Can It Afford It?'
The deal has triggered intense scrutiny, not only over China's production capacity but also over whether Pakistan, which is dependent on IMF aid for basic survival, would be able to afford such a high-end jet.
China's decision to fast-track the delivery of 30 J-35A fifth-generation stealth jets to Pakistan, that too at a steep 50 percent discount, has drawn widespread criticism from Chinese citizens across social media platforms. Deliveries could start as early as August 2025, and Pakistani pilots are reportedly already being trained in China.
The deal, which would be China’s first export of a fifth-generation fighter, has triggered intense scrutiny, not only over China's production capacity but also over whether Pakistan, which is dependent on IMF aid for basic survival, would be able to afford such a high-end jet.
Notably, China's move comes in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack in India, and is being seen as an attempt to arm Pakistan against India, while also testing its weapons for global exports.
Chinese Netizens Reacts: ‘Pak Hasn’t Even Paid For The J-10’
While Chinese officials have avoided public comment, online platforms have erupted with criticism, with many asking why China would send an in-testing and unproven aircraft to a foreign buyer. Angered by the sale announcement, Chinese citizens have openly questioned the logic behind supplying the Shenyang J-35A, also called the FC-31, to a country like Pakistan, which has had a questionable financial record.
On X (formerly Twitter), a user Yingyang Medical School (@Zhejiang) voiced frustration over Pakistan's overdue payments from previous defence deals and posted: “Pakistan has also made a lot of fake news. How can it afford to buy it? It hasn’t even paid for the J-10.”
According to a report by Business Today, some experts have claimed that the deal cannot happen before 2030 as Pakistan's pending J-10C payments may take another eight yearsto get cleared.
Another user CQL0530 wrote: “China’s own production of the J-35 has not yet been built up. How can it be given to them?”
A user Angry Man 1957 (@Guangdong) slammed the move, calling it “Bullshit!", while another user from Sichuan province, cryptically remarked: “I can’t afford it all,” reflecting growing anxiety over China’s own spending priorities and burden on taxpayers.
Adding to the backlash, Cracked Rose (@Guangdong) noted, “2 more powerful printers are coming,” a phrase that some interpreted as sarcasm about printing money or rapidly accelerating jet production.
Another Chinese citizen suggested that Pakistan should prioritise investing in industries and infrastructure than in defence. "It is more in your interest to spend money on building and purchasing industrial equipment and infra."
🚨 Satellite images confirm 🇨🇳 #China has deployed the #J35 Ghost Fighter to Shenyang Air Base — a major leap in its aviation power.
— War Doctrine (@War_Doctrine) June 7, 2025
With both the #J20 & #J35, 🇨🇳 becomes the only country besides 🇺🇸 the US to field two 5th-gen stealth jets.
The #J35, expected to be exported to… pic.twitter.com/PBIIaaICXr
J-35 Yet To Enter Even Chinese Service
The J-35, also known as the FC-31, has not yet entered service in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. With testing still underway, the export decision has left the internet confused. Despite the aircraft being marketed as China’s answer to the American F-35, which has seen more than 900 deliveries globally, the capabilities of J-35 are yet to be verified, the Business Today report said.
China's push to sell a half-ready jet to a buyer with an uncertain credit record is being seen as a strategic and economic gamble. While China reportedly hopes to use this deal to promote the aircraft globally, no other country has agreed to purchase even the J-10CE model, which is said to be armed with long-range PL-15 missiles.
Pakistan’s military has claimed that its Chinese-supplied J-10CE jets successfully downed Indian Rafales during Operation Sindoor — an assertion yet to be independently verified. Nonetheless, Beijing is reportedly leveraging this narrative to portray the jet as "combat-tested".
So far, efforts to sell the J-10CE to countries like Egypt, Brazil, and Uzbekistan have failed, largely due to the aircraft’s dependence on outdated Russian engines such as the Klimov RD-93 and Saturn AL-31, the report said.
Beijing has not officially confirmed the deal or responded to the growing backlash, as taxpayers are concerned over the sale of J-35, which is yet to enter even the Chinese service.
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