ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is expected to get the Chinese-made Shaanxi KJ-500 early warning and air control (AEW&C) aircraft, a development that has the potential to change South Asia’s military balance far greater than the additional purchase of fighter aircraft or missiles, reports a defence news portal based in Malaysia.
According to Defence Security Asia, Chinese and Pakistani officials had confirmed formal negotiations for the aircraft in June 2025, with the KJ-500 expected to be part of China’s broader defense package.
The platform not only expands the surveillance coverage of the PAF, but also creates a much more integrated combat management architecture capable of shortening decision-making periods during in case of any crisis with India.
The report says the PAF negotiates acquisition of the J-35A fighter and the Chinese-made HQ-19 interceptor, the KJ-500 is expected to be the air command node that unifies the entire system.
The KJ-500 would allow Pakistani commanders to detect Indian aircraft, missiles and drones much earlier before coordinating interceptors as well as air defence missile batteries, the report added.
