In a major geopolitical shift following the recent India-Pakistan military clash, China has fast-tracked the delivery of its advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter jets, the J-35A, to Pakistan, according to a News18 report. Diplomatic sources cited in the report described the move as a “reward” for Pakistan’s role in the confrontation, signaling an intensification of China-Pakistan defense ties amidst rising regional tensions and Beijing’s expanding strategic footprint in South Asia.

Pakistan is expected to receive an initial batch of 30 J-35A jets as early as August this year — a significantly expedited timeline compared to earlier projections. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, currently visiting China, is reported to have finalized the logistics and financial arrangements during meetings with senior Chinese military and political figures.

What stands out in this deal is the generous financial package extended by Beijing. China has reportedly offered the jets at a 50% discount, along with relaxed payment terms. This concession is seen as a strategic gesture from China, acknowledging what it has termed Pakistan's “successful air defense performance against India.”

Last year, Pakistan had announced plans to acquire 40 J-35A fighters, marking the first known export of such cutting-edge Chinese military hardware. Training is already underway, with a group of Pakistan Air Force pilots undergoing operational conversion at the People’s Liberation Army Air Force headquarters in Beijing.

Since the India-Pakistan ceasefire, high-level engagements between Chinese and Pakistani officials have focused on evolving regional security concerns, including India's airpower modernization.

In a related development, China has also pledged $25 billion in investments to boost Pakistan’s civil and military infrastructure. This commitment forms a key component of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), aimed at strengthening both strategic and economic cooperation. As part of the agreement, Pakistan has promised enhanced security and streamlined access for Chinese operations at the strategic Gwadar Port.

Notably, China had previously criticized India's Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. After initially denying Chinese involvement in the conflict, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar confirmed that Pakistani fighter jets were deployed. In response, China reiterated its support for Pakistan’s defense of its sovereignty, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi referring to Pakistan as an “ironclad friend” and pledging to deepen their “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership,” according to an official statement from China’s foreign ministry.