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China's J-10C Fighter Jet: A Symbol of Power Projection in the India-Pakistan Conflict

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Legend of the J-10, a two-part documentary airing on China's National Memory programme, has positioned the development of the J-10C fighter jet as a patriotic call to inspire young people to love the party and country. The documentary highlights the challenging development process of the J-10, which faced "extremely difficult challenges" including a sudden oil leak, before finally finishing the first aircraft in 1997. The J-10C, with its advanced AESA radar, improved engines, and capability to launch long-range PL-15 missiles, has become a new symbol of power projection in the region.

Key Takeaways:

  • The J-10CE, the export variant of the J-10C, has achieved its "first" victory "in a real battle in recent days" according to CCTV, shooting down "a handful of foreign jets without losing one in conflict".
  • Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed that Pakistani fighter jets, including the J-10C, had shot down Indian jets, but provided no evidence to back their claims.
  • India's Director General of Air Operations A.K. Bharti said that losses are a part of being in a combat scenario.
  • The J-10C's development process was extremely challenging, with a sudden oil leak and a final completion in 1997, described as a "miracle in the history of Chinese aviation".
  • The J-10C is classified as a 4.5-generation fighter, featuring AESA radar, improved engines, and the capability to launch long-range PL-15 missiles.
  • Military expert Zhang Xuefeng stated that through the development of the J-10, China has mastered advanced aerodynamic configuration technologies for fighter jets.
  • The fighter is now showcased at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in Malaysia.
  • Between 2020 and 2024, 81% of Pakistan's arms imports came from China, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Statistics:

  • 81% of Pakistan's arms imports between 2020 and 2024 came from China.
  • The J-10C has become a new symbol of power projection in the region.
  • 1997 was the year the first J-10 aircraft was completed.
  • 4.5-generation fighter is the classification for the J-10C.
  • J-10C features AESA radar and improved engines.
  • The J-10C can launch long-range PL-15 missiles.

Sources:

  • CCTV
  • South China Morning Post
  • Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
  • India's Director General of Air Operations A.K. Bharti
  • Military expert Zhang Xuefeng
  • Global Times
  • Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
  • ABP Private Limited
  • Contify.com

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