Uzbekistan strengthens air force with Chinese fighter jet deal
As reported by Bulgarian Military, Uzbek authorities have reached an agreement with China to purchase fighter jets. This development highlights the strengthening military partnership between these countries and indicates Uzbekistan's shift away from Russia, which had offered the Su-30SM.
For years, Central Asian countries like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have relied almost exclusively on Russian weapons. However, a new trend of purchasing arms from China is emerging. Both countries have acquired Chinese HQ-17AE air defense systems, and Uzbekistan is taking it a step further by upgrading its fleet of fighter jets with China's help.
Uzbekistan turns to Chinese fighter jets
The Uzbek authorities have chosen the J-35A combat aircraft. A video on social media shows Uzbek pilots training to operate this aircraft.
The J-35A is one of China’s latest fighter jets, first unveiled at the Airshow China in 2024. It belongs to the 5th generation of fighters and features stealth technology. It is a single-seat, twin-engine multi-role fighter capable of reaching speeds of Mach 2 (about 1,300 mph). It is often seen as China's answer to the American F-35.
A significant change in Uzbekistan's aviation, which is based on post-Soviet aircraft
As noted by Bulgarian Military, acquiring the J-35A will significantly bolster Uzbekistan's air forces, which currently depend on older Soviet-era fighter jets from Russia. The most valuable of these are the Su-27 and MiG-29.
Both the Su-27 and MiG-29 are 4th generation aircraft introduced in the 1980s. The Su-27 is a twin-engine heavy air superiority fighter weighing about 35,300 pounds, while the lighter MiG-29, weighing about 22,000 pounds, is a front-line fighter. Both can reach speeds of Mach 2.3 (about 1,520 mph), with the Su-27 reaching this speed only at high altitudes.
Earlier reports suggested that Uzbekistan was interested in newer fighter jets, including the Russian Su-30SM. However, the Chinese competitor prevailed. According to Bulgarian Military, Uzbekistan's choice of the J-35A stems from practical considerations, including cost and availability of the aircraft and spare parts, as well as shifting geopolitical dynamics.
