ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has aired a special military documentary celebrating the capabilities and combat achievements of its J-10CE fighter jet, prominently spotlighting the aircraft’s performance in a recent aerial engagement involving the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
J-10C Credited in Air Superiority Over Indian Rafales
The documentary arrives shortly after the Pakistan-India skirmish on May 7, in which the Pakistan Air Force reportedly downed multiple Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets, using Chinese-made J-10C fighters. The engagement marked a significant operational milestone for the J-10CE, an export variant of the domestically deployed J-10C.
According to the CCTV report, the recent encounter marked “the first combat success” of the J-10CE in a real-world battle scenario. The programme noted the aircraft shot down “foreign aircraft” without suffering any losses.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told lawmakers that PAF’s use of the J-10C led to the downing of the Indian fighters. While a French official confirmed the loss of at least one Indian-operated Rafale, India has yet to officially comment on the incident.
Origin and Evolution of the J-10 Fighter Jet
The Chinese documentary traced the J-10’s development back to the 1980s, when Chinese defense experts sought to narrow the technological gap with Western and Soviet aircraft. The aircraft’s design was finalized in 1982 by Song Wencong of the 611 Institute, now the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group.
After overcoming numerous technical hurdles and developing capabilities without access to foreign blueprints, China unveiled the first J-10 in 1997, with full induction into its air force by 2003.
The J-10C is classified as a 4.5-generation multi-role combat aircraft. It features advanced avionics, an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, a low radar cross section, and is equipped with long-range PL-15 air-to-air missiles.
Military analyst Zhang Xuefeng told Global Times that the J-10 programme has enabled China to master critical technologies such as advanced aerodynamic configurations, digital flight control systems, and next-generation turbofan engines.
Global Recognition and Strategic Partnership with Pakistan
The aircraft is currently on display at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) in Malaysia, where it continues to attract global attention for its advanced features and combat performance.
China remains Pakistan’s largest defence partner, accounting for 81% of the country’s military imports between 2020 and 2024. Alongside the J-10C, Pakistan also operates Chinese-origin PL-15 missiles and JF-17 Thunder fighter jets.
The spotlight on the J-10C underscores the deepening military collaboration between China and Pakistan, and positions the aircraft as a central component of Pakistan’s aerial defence strategy.
