4.5-Generation Fighter Jets

choi

Pakistan's Weapons | TOP Gun; Chinese fighters and missiles gave Pakistan a new edge against India. The Economist, May 17, 2-26, at page 31.

Note:
(a)
(i) "a fourth-generation,[1] lightweight, single-engine8 * * * The Pakistani designation 'JF-17' stands for 'Joint Fighter-17,' with the 'Joint Fighter' denoting the joint Pakistani-Chinese development of the aircraft and the '-17' denoting that, in the PAF's vision, it is the successor to the [America's]F-16. The Chinese designation 'FC-1 [Xiaolong] ' stands for 'Fighter China-1 [枭龙]' "/ table Manufactured 2007- present in China and 2008-present in Pakistan: en.wikipedia.org for "JF-17."
(ii) J-10C: "歼-10C于2013年12月首飞 * * * 2018年4月，歼-10C开始担负战斗值班任务。[13] 已于2023年停产"  zh.wikipedia.org
"Justin Bronk describes the J-10C as a 4.5 generation jet fighter.[72]"; en.wikipedia.org for "J-10."

(b) PL-15
"霹雳-15 (literally Thunderbolt-15) * * * is an active radar-guided long-range beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile"/table; In service: 2016-president: en.wikipedia.org for "PL-15."
(c) Dassault Rafale "is is a French 4.5th gen, twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft"/ Introduction 2001: en.wikipoedia.org for "Dassault Rafale."


a posting dated May 30, 2025

choi

May 31, 2025 addition:

(1) India-Pakistan | Truce Trouble; Why India is annoyed by its ceasefire with Pakistan. The Economist, May 27, 2025, at page 30
("But despite mounting open-source evidence that some Indian aircraft were lost, India has yet to confirm or deny Pakistan's claim to have downed three of India's new French Rafale jets and two Russian models")

(2) BJP Leader Admits Downing of Five Indian Jets. The Express Tribune, May 31, 2025
https://tribune.com.pk/story/254 ... of-five-indian-jets
("Subramanian Swamy, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, has admitted that Pakistan downed five Indian fighter jets, including Rafale aircraft, during the four-day military confrontation between the two neighbouring countries earlier this month.   Swamy, a known critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fired a broadside against his own party's government * * * Subramanian Swamy, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, has admitted that Pakistan downed five Indian fighter jets, including Rafale aircraft, during the four-day military confrontation between the two neighbouring countries earlier this month.   Swamy, a known critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fired a broadside against his own party's government")

The Express Tribune (2010- ; a daily English-language newspaper that is part of Lakson Group (1954- ; founded and owned by Lakhani family; based in Karachi)