In recent years, PAF too brass has shared views on jumping the technology curve to obtain aie superiority. Here we point out the fallacy in this line of thinking.
The concept of stealth as game changer dates back to the 80s and 90s where stealth was designed to specifically fool the radars of that era. Air defence systems have now caught up, utilizing multi-channdl information, including IR signature, to obtain lock. Russian AEWACS are reporting ranges of 600+ km. This means they are able to paint the target using higher energy and discern extremely low return amplitudes. AEWACS also counter NoE tactics that would give a further semblance of stealth. Finally, radars in the VHF/UHF frequencies have been perfected, which negates the stealth of planes like F-22 and F-35.
Information fusion has been claimed as the hallmark of next gen aerial warfare. Yet, information fusion has limits. The sensors on the F-35 can only gather information to a few hundred kilometres. But with AEWACS ranges in the 600+ km range, the fifth gen fighter would be literally blind to the enemy at long range. Combined with VLRAAMs, even the humble Mig-27 would pose a significant danger, harassing the plane while remaining at stand-off distance. A plane such as Su-35 would harrass and close the distance, where the fifth gen aircraft would be no match for its super-maneuversbility.
The true measure of a fifth gen platform is assured kill ratio in the presence of severe electronic jamming. But this requires innovation in missile technology, and electronic warfare.
Lastly, so far, there is no news of an appropriate engine for the J-31. Such an engine would need to exhibit heat distribution that minimizes the heat signature, possibly divert the exhaust plume or cool it down to avoid lock on by IR missiles, and feature stealthy external surfaces.
The fifth gen gambit is a bad decision on the part of PAF, and does not provide any air superiority advantage in its current form.
