Good article, although I expect PLAN to operate carriers earlier than they expect, but I hope it is an eyeopener for IN!!!
The arrival of J31 will be a game changer for Indian forces and more than J20 was. First of all the copied F35 an F22 stealth design is a very good one, secondly it will come in the medium class and with the same engines (at least so far) as JF17, which makes it logical that PAF might be interested in the long run and at last that not alone J15 will be a problem, but J31 operated from PLAN carriers!
IN now is even more in disadvantage, because they are wasting time and money with the useless development and induction of less capable fighters at smaller carrier, while there is no current and fast plan to get bigger carriers and better fighters yet.
PLAN will aim on USN and the defence of their costal areas and seas in first place, but if needed they can be deployed to Indian Ocean as well. IN now has to come up with a strong and fast counterplan, which only can be a speeding up IAC2 developments and developing a 5th gen carrier fighter. So far IN (and I personally did as well) rejected the idea of F35Cs because of operational restrictions, but not things are different and at least a smaller order of F35, while an indigenous stealth fighter will be developed might be important.
