Scramble for 40 Chinese jets inflates Pakistan's defence budget

ISLAMABAD: China's fifth-generation stealth fighter J-35A, touted as a rival to the American F-35, is at the heart of Pakistan's military ambitions as it doubles down on defence spending amid telling blows to its economy.
Finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb's announcement of a 20% hike in the country's defence budget – the outlay stands at 2.55 trillion rupees ($9 billion) – coincides with reports of advanced arms deals with China.
Pakistan is said to be negotiating with China for 40 stealth fighters, with deliveries potentially starting this August.
The J-35A, a twin-engine, multi-role fighter equipped with PL-17 missiles and advanced AESA radar, promises to enhance Pakistan's air superiority and strike capabilities.
Pakistan Air Force has already approved the purchase, and various agencies have reported that pilots are already training in China.
Beijing's rumoured offer of a 50% discount and lenient payment terms is in line with deepening China-Pakistan ties, with nearly 80% of Pakistan's arsenal now sourced from there.
The acquisition of J-35A stealth fighter jets threatens to escalate tensions with India even as Pakistani diplomats criss-cross foreign shores, preaching restraint and dialogue.
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The Shehbaz Sharif govt's decision to prioritise defence over development has also drawn muted criticism within Pakistan's tightly controlled political space. The budget slashed overall federal expenditure by 7% to 17.57 trillion rupees ($62 billion).
Pakistan was mainly dependent on Chinese-supplied weapons, including J-10C fighters and HQ-9 air defence systems, during last month's military conflict with India.
The country's economic woes make this military outlay particularly contentious. It owes $15 billion to China alone, its largest bilateral creditor, and is negotiating a $6-8 billion IMF bailout to avert a total economic collapse.
Servicing its $269 billion debt consumes over 1.9% of GDP, leaving little room for social welfare or infrastructure. With national security becoming the rationale to override financial prudence, the budget faced little scrutiny in parliament, reflecting the military's outsized influence on how the country is run.
On the diplomatic front, Pakistan is working overtime to counter India's 'terrorism narrative'. Foreign minister Ishaq Dar has engaged Gulf states, EU and the UN to portray Pakistan as a stabilising force and India as the aggressor.
These efforts include back-channel talks and leveraging the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to secure economic lifelines from Beijing. During a recent visit to China, Dar thanked Beijing for its support during the India-Pakistan conflict, highlighting it as an 'iron-clad' relationship.

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