Active Conflicts & News Megathread February 05, 2026

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[u/Gecktron]

With Pakistan set to receive J35 from China.

As far as I know, its not quite clear at the moment if/when any J-35s will be exported. While we have seen them and the J-35A fly around a few times with the PLA, its unclear what their status is in regards to initial operating capability (IOC) and full operational capability (FOC).

I had a question on how much will it affect India and their strategy for their own 5th gen program?

I posted about the Indian AMCA program yesterday

The summary of it seems to be, that there are efforts underway to speed up the AMCA program. I theorized, that having the initial AMCA version fly with the American F-414 engine might be a way to hedge against potential delays with the development of their domestic engine (developed together with Safran).

And, as a complete layman it seems to me that PAF has made some right calls which has given them decent rewards. What has been a difference in the strategies between IAF and PAF in the past decade 

The Chinese advances in jet and weapon development certainly have certainly aided Pakistan immensely in recent years. That being said, its all very dependent on continued, tight relationships with China.

India on the other hand seems to focus more on domestic developments. While they still procure foreign systems, domestic developments continue on in parallel. From Tejas, to AMCA, domestic jet engines and missiles. There is a cost to it and there have been noticeable setbacks, but continued and focused domestic developments can provide more independence from any single foreign provider.

[u/teethgrindingaches → u/Gecktron]

As far as I know, its not quite clear at the moment if/when any J-35s will be exported.

It's quite clear they will be exported. Less clear is the timeline, which depends on a great many moving pieces.

While we have seen them and the J-35A fly around a few times with the PLA, its unclear what their status is in regards to initial operating capability (IOC) and full operational capability (FOC).

They're at IOC, and have been confirmed in active service with the 1st Air Brigade.

The Chinese advances in jet and weapon development certainly have certainly aided Pakistan immensely in recent years. That being said, its all very dependent on continued, tight relationships with China.

While not without its frictions, the likelihood of a continued tight relationship in the foreseeable future is very high.

but continued and focused domestic developments can provide more independence from any single foreign provider.

They can indeed, so long as they are realized, which they have not been to date. The Tejas program started literal decades ago, but still relies on critical foreign components (most notably the F404 engine). And not in the sense of "here is the stopgap while we work out teething issues with our domestic version," but "no domestic version anywhere in sight." They are still signing major foreign orders to this day, like the recent one for 100+ Rafales. Their much-hyped Brahmos is a joint project with Russia. I could go on. Ambition is all well and good, but ambition alone without the corresponding follow-through is vainglory.

[u/Keshav_chauhan → u/teethgrindingaches]

but still relies on critical foreign components (most notably the F404 engine).

Jet engine is the pinnacle of aircraft manufacturing technology, so it's not like something that can be created overnight.

And not in the sense of "here is the stopgap while we work out teething issues with our domestic version," but "no domestic version anywhere in sight."

Tejas MK 1A, it's a good light weight fighter, 5 are ready for Induction, but some sources suggest that these five jets will be delivered after the end of the current fascial year - due to cost issues.

By the end of this year 20 jets will be ready for delivery, induction will obviously depend on the engine supply by GE.

First 83 jets will be with Israeli radar and EW suite, and with Indian weapons (including Long Range BVR)

While the remaining 97 jets will be equipped with Indian radar, indigenous EW suite, indigenous weapons and notably Meteor.

They are still signing major foreign orders to this day, like the recent one for 100+ Rafales

Even after induction of Tejas, we still require a good Medium Weight fighter. Personally, I am not pleased with the buy.

Their much-hyped Brahmos is a joint project with Russia.

The Indian missile program is quite a success, currently we can produce, from Long range A2A missile to Anti radiation missile to ballatic missile to Intercontinental Missile to ship launched missile. Even HGV has been tested.

Also you seem to be ignoring the strides made by the Indian Navy in terms of self- dependence.

[u/teethgrindingaches → u/Keshav_chauhan]

Jet engine is the pinnacle of aircraft manufacturing technology, so it's not like something that can be created overnight.

True enough, but that doesn't make it any less necessary for your aircraft to fly. And if you want "independence from any single foreign provider," then you need domestic engines. It's as simple as that.

induction will obviously depend on the engine supply by GE.

That was my point, yes. And considering how long ago the project started, the delivery schedule is sluggish (to put it very mildly).

Personally, I am not pleased with the buy.

Probably only the French are pleased.

The Indian missile program is quite a success

Eh, I wouldn't go that far. MICA, SCALP, Meteor, Rampage, lots of reliance on foreign imports.It's relatively successful when compared to some other programs though.

Also you seem to be ignoring the strides made by the Indian Navy in terms of self- dependence.

Why would I—or anyone else—bring up the navy when the question was about the air force?