Uzbekistan shifts air power east with Chinese jet purchase
As reported by Bulgarian Military, the Uzbek authorities have reached an agreement with China regarding the purchase of fighter jets. This is yet another indication of the deepening military partnership between these countries and a sign of Uzbekistan moving away from Russia, which offered the Su-30SM.
For years, Central Asian countries like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have been almost exclusively armed with Russian weapons. However, in recent months, a new trend has emerged—the purchase of arms from China. Both countries have already acquired the Chinese HQ-17AE air defence systems, with Uzbekistan going a step further. Thanks to another agreement, it will significantly modernise its fleet of fighter jets.
Uzbekistan turns to Chinese fighter jets
The combat aircraft chosen by the Uzbek authorities is the J-35A. A recording has been published on social media showing Uzbek pilots training to operate this aircraft.
The J-35A is one of the latest fighters developed in China, unveiled publicly at the Airshow China in 2024. It is a 5th generation aircraft (the second such in China's history, after the J-20) with stealth technology. It is a single-seat, twin-engine multi-role fighter capable of reaching speeds of Mach 2 (about 2,090 km/h). It is often referred to as China's answer to the American F-35.
A significant change in Uzbekistan's aviation, which is based on post-Soviet aircraft
According to Bulgarian Military, acquiring the J-35A will be a significant reinforcement for Uzbekistan's air forces, which currently rely on Russian, or rather older, Soviet fighter jets. The most valuable of these are the Su-27 and MiG-29.
Both the Su-27 and MiG-29 are 4th generation aircraft, introduced into service in the 1980s. The Su-27 is a twin-engine, heavy (weighing about 16,000 kg) air superiority fighter. The lighter MiG-29 (around 10,000 kg) is a front-line fighter. The maximum speed of both aircraft is Mach 2.3 (approximately 2,446 km/h), with the Su-27 reaching this speed only at high altitudes.
Earlier reports of the Uzbek authorities' interest in newer fighter jets suggested the possibility of acquiring the Russian Su-30SM, which ultimately lost to the Chinese competitor. According to Bulgarian Military, the choice of the J-35A is a pragmatic one, dictated by the cost and availability of aircraft and spare parts, as well as changing geopolitical realities.
