What Replaces Pakistan's F-16s? J-35, New F-16s, or Something Else?

Pakistan is about to make its biggest fighter decision in a generation — and it starts with the F-16.The Pakistan Air Force's three F-16A/B Block-15 squadrons are scheduled to retire by 2040, a timeline all but confirmed by the $686 million U.S. support and upgrade deal signed in December 2025. That leaves one question hanging over the PAF's entire next procurement cycle: what actually replaces the F-16?Everyone points to the Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter. But as Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan explain, the J-35 stepping into that role is far from a given. The F-16 isn't just another jet in the fleet — it's the PAF's reliable, high-availability, NATO-interoperable workhorse, and whatever succeeds it has to fill a very specific "size of shoes." That keeps options on the table most people dismiss too quickly: new-build F-16 Block 72s, and even the Eurofighter Typhoon.Before that, the show opens on the news that kicked off the week — Azerbaijan showing off its newly inducted JF-17 Block III fleet: what the airframes reveal, the twin-seat JF-17B question, Turkish weapons integration, and what Baku's big-ticket contract is really paying for.Then it's into listener questions: the Typhoon vs J-35 vs F-16 debate in full, cost-per-flight-hour realities, the JH-7B and "Sea Sultan bomber" ideas, and a wide-ranging discussion on Pakistan's command structure, disaggregation, and the role of the new Chief of Defence Forces.Chapters00:00 — Welcome & this week's topics00:37 — Azerbaijan unveils its JF-17 Block III05:10 — The twin-seat JF-17B explained10:13 — What Azerbaijan's big contract is really paying for13:58 — Listener Q&A: does the Typhoon actually replace the F-16?26:14 — Typhoon vs J-35 vs new F-16: the full breakdown51:47 — Cost-per-flight-hour realities & the PAF's budget55:00 — Listener Q&A: command structure & disaggregationGo deeper on QuwaWhy the PAF's next procurement cycle starts in 2030: https://quwa.org/pakistan/market-intelligence/the-pakistan-air-forces-next-procurement-cycle-starts-in-2030-why-vendors-need-to-prepare/Inside the $686M F-16 upgrade deal: https://quwa.org/pakistan-air-force-news/why-the-u-s-just-approved-a-686m-f-16-upgrade-for-pakistan-12-11-2025/What the reports say about Pakistan's J-35 deal: https://quwa.org/pakistan/air-force/combat-aircraft/what-the-reports-say-about-pakistans-j-35-stealth-fighter-deal/About Defence UncutDefence Uncut is the first dedicated English-language Pakistani defence news and commentary podcast, hosted by Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan. Each week we unpack Pakistani military procurements, events, and the broader strategic picture in focused detail — so you can build a clearer, more accurate understanding of South Asian air power.Follow the show so you never miss an episode, and if you're enjoying it, a rating or review genuinely helps others find us.Questions or topic ideas? Email us at [email protected] our analysis: https://quwa.org