Sukhoi PAK FA is under Flight Tests, and as many as 6 Tests have been done so far.
IAF aims induction of PAK-FA by 2018 and seems consistent with the latest assessment by the Primeminister Vladimir Putin and Indian Defence Minister Mr. Antony who claimed recently that Russian and Indian Airforces shall induct the First Fifth Gen Fighters by 2016-2018 respectively.
With India already have far far superior Airforce having a superb inventory of :
- 100+ Su 30 MKI
- 50+ Mirages 2000 [ Being Upgraded as well ]
- 60 Mig 29 SMT [ By 2012 ]
- 40+ Mig 29K [ Navy ]
And which will start MMRCA Inductions in 2014-15, shall become a real Force with Fifth Generation Fighters.
Now, What makes the Fifth generation fighters very real threat for Pakistan is the fact that India has a "cold start" doctrine and with undetectable fighters in air "surgical strikes" could become a practical possibility in any future event.
So How will Pakistan Face PAK FA ?
JXX ? .
This is the best hope for Pakistan but not before 2030 which makes PAF behind IAF by atleast a decade.
Russia and US have shown that from the first flight till induction, it would take nearly a decade to mature and induct the Actual Fighter.
This means that even if China tests JXX today, it wont be ready by 2020-25.
Then China has to first equip its own Airforce and Then it will take a decade [ as clearly demonstrated by the J10 MRCA for PAF ] before PAF gets JXX.
F35 ?
This is a very distant possibility.
#1. The Price is too High and PAF simply cant afford it in numbers comparable to India which aims 250 FGFA + 250 AMCA
#2. US suspecious of Chinese Access
So, its vital for Thinkers in Pakistan to get a defence against PAK FA.. which will make IAF, incredibly superior and invincible.