ISLAMABAD: The Chengdu J-10C fighter aircraft, deployed by Pakistan in its recent clashes with India, is drawing international attention as a potential game-changer in the global arms trade, particularly as a credible alternative to the US-made F-16.
The four-day conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours has not only exposed the vulnerabilities in India’s air defence but also showcased the operational capabilities of Chinese military hardware on the battlefield.
During the May 7 clashes, Pakistan’s military claimed to have shot down five Indian aircraft — including three French-made Rafale jets, a Russian Su-30MKI, and a MiG-29 — using Chinese J-10C fighters.
Addressing a press conference, military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) successfully repelled India’s incursion and demonstrated “technical superiority and tactical composure.”
While India initially refrained from acknowledging these losses, the Indian Air Force (IAF) later admitted to combat losses, stating that “losses are a part of combat” without providing specific details.
However, the presence of wreckage in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, confirmed by local sources and international media, including Reuters, has lent credibility to Pakistan’s claims.
Reuters also cited unnamed US officials confirming that at least two Rafale jets were shot down by J-10Cs during the May 7 clashes.
The J-10C’s battlefield performance has sparked debate among global defence analysts, particularly in comparison with the US-built F-16, which has long dominated the international multirole fighter market.
The use of advanced Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missiles by the PAF — although unconfirmed officially — has further intensified interest in the jet’s capabilities.
Douglas Barrie, senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told Reuters that global militaries would closely examine the tactics and technologies used in the skirmish.
“You have arguably China’s most capable weapon against the West’s most capable weapon,” he noted.
The J-10C’s combat debut marks the first instance of this aircraft being used in live military conflict.
Built by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, the J-10 is a single-engine, multirole, delta-wing fighter, in service with the Chinese and Pakistani air forces.
The latest variant, the J-10C, incorporates radar-absorbent materials, improved avionics, and the Chinese-made WS-10A Taihang engine — signalling China’s growing independence in producing high-end military hardware.
Western analysts have long dismissed Chinese defence systems as low-cost but low-performance alternatives to American and European equipment.
However, the recent conflict has challenged this perception. According to a Washington-based defence analyst, Byron Callan, “There will be audits of what works and what doesn’t work, but I think the other overlay is the proverbial fog of war.” He added that arms manufacturers on both sides would use this feedback to evaluate and improve their offerings.
The US Department of State reported that F-16 sales contributed significantly to America’s foreign military sales in Fiscal Year 2024.
But experts warn that the demonstrated efficiency and affordability of the J-10C — priced between $40 million and $65 million per unit, compared to $60 million to over $120 million for the latest F-16 variants — could erode Washington’s traditional market share.
In addition to cost advantages, Beijing’s ability to mass-produce modern weaponry has raised alarm in Western defence circles.
Chinese ambitions, once limited to supplying low-end arms to developing nations, now include competing directly with the US and Europe in high-end aerospace and defence sectors.
The PAF’s use of J-10C fighters in combat also marks a crucial moment for China’s defence export strategy.
The successful deployment against India’s French and Russian aircraft could serve as a powerful endorsement for other countries seeking cost-effective alternatives to Western fighter jets.
Social media played a parallel role during the conflict, with Pakistani users flooding platforms with memes and commentaries contrasting the performance of the Rafale and the J-10C.
The narrative gained traction when a PAF official remarked that the Rafale is “a very potent aircraft… if employed well,” drawing widespread praise online as a symbolic David-versus-Goliath victory.
Digital rights activist Nighat Dad noted that humour became a tool for opinion-shaping, as India blocked multiple Pakistani accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube.
During the conflict, Indian media were accused of spreading disinformation, while analysts believe the episode has bolstered Pakistan’s defence credibility.
Researcher Michael Kugelman remarked that the recent crisis “bolstered the [Pakistani] army.”
The J-10C’s performance could reshape buyer preferences in Asia, Africa and Latin America, markets where affordability and reliability often outweigh political considerations. China’s push to capture a larger share of the global defence market appears more feasible than ever.
