China is set to start supplying the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) with its Shenyang FC-31 ‘Gyrfalcon' multirole stealth fighter aircraft, a senior Pakistani government...
www.janes.com
So seems export variance of J-35 still call FC-31. Will this means no more J-10CE ? Perhaps this is also why China begin to market more J-10 to other export potential. Or could also this means if additional J-10CE still coming, and replacing all F-16 ? While this FC-31 to give edge toward Indian AF until they can get Su-57 or manage to come out with AMCA as plan.
The Democrats and evan some Republican Senators still getting hostile to India, due India possition with regards to Russia trades. Just don't think it will be easy for India to get F-35.
J-10A was marketed as FC-20 to Pakistan some 20 years ago or so but when it was finally acquired it came with the original designation of J-10. So, we'll have to wait and watch what Pakistan/PAF calls it. It does seem orders for more J-10C have been scaled back or the supply has been slowed down, perhaps to accommodate funds and other resources for J-35. But the production is busy producing new units, which makes you wonder. Again, no option but to wait and watch.
I don't think F-16s are going to be retired anytime soon. Rafale aside, they are still formidable against rest of the IAF, and under certain circumstances can become problem for Rafales also. However, they are already pushed back to third tier, behind JF-17 Blk3 and J-10C. Final composition might look like this:
1. J-35
2. J-10C
3. JF-17
4. F-16
KAAN is something being watched closely by Pakistan. It all depends on how much localization/indigenization Turkey is able to achieve, and how much Pakistan is able to incorporate of its own.
India getting F-35 is probably going to be much bigger problem than it appears to be on the surface. What if the US demands removal of S-400 and Russian fighter jets? Latter aspect would be crippling for the IAF. It will also give undue leverage to the US over Indian foreign and defence policies. There is a domestic push for India to acquire Su-57 and I think they'll likely do that. They can also simultaneously become partner in Checkmate program.