J-10C’s Combat Debut

China’s official media recently broadcast a prominent documentary highlighting the significant accomplishments of the J-10C multirole fighter aircraft, particularly focusing on its operational performance under Pakistani command. This documentary follows Pakistan’s recent aerial success, when its air force, using the J-10C, downed three Indian Rafale fighter jets, an occurrence that signifies a significant alteration in South Asia’s strategic air power landscape. J-10C’s Combat Debut The broadcast serves as a technical demonstration and a geopolitical assertion, intended to bolster China’s standing as a leading military supplier and to solidify the narrative of the J-10C’s efficacy as a combat-ready platform.

The video states that the engagement took place on May 7, 2025, during a resurgence of hostilities between India and Pakistan. The J-10C fighters of Pakistan successfully intercepted and downed three modern French-made Rafale planes operated by the Indian Air Force, signifying the J-10C’s first verified kills in live combat. This remarkable achievement not only affirms the aircraft’s capabilities but also conveys a significant geopolitical statement on the shifting balance of power in the area. For Pakistan, it was a definitive exhibition of its recently attained superiority in aerial combat; for China, it served as a testimonial to the export potential and operational efficacy of their indigenous aviation technology.

The J-10C, referred to in its export version as the J-10CE, signifies a significant advancement in China’s aviation engineering. Although its design origins date to the late 1980s, when China acknowledged the need to upgrade its air force to align with Western and Soviet achievements, the aircraft began serial production in the early 2000s. The J-10C variant, introduced subsequently, integrated numerous advanced features, including an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, electronic warfare systems, and compatibility with long-range missiles such as the PL-15, which exceeds the range of many Western counterparts.

The documentary provided viewers with an exceptional insight into the J-10C’s developmental history, illustrating how Chinese aerospace engineers surmounted decades of technical disadvantage to create a state-of-the-art aircraft that competes with the world’s finest. The aircraft’s streamlined delta-canard design, exceptional mobility, and sophisticated avionics establish it as a significant force multiplier, especially in aerial combat. Experts featured in the video characterized the J-10C’s introduction in 1997 as “a miracle in the history of air defence,” highlighting the national pride associated with the program.

Pakistan’s acquisition of the J-10CE signifies a pivotal moment in its defence procurement policy, mainly favouring Chinese military equipment. Between 2020 and 2024, China constituted 81 percent of Pakistan’s military imports, a statistic heavily referenced in the documentary. Alongside the J-10C planes, Pakistan’s inventory includes the PL-15 missile system, HQ-9 surface-to-air missiles, and an array of surveillance drones, all purchased from China. This strengthening military connection not only improves Pakistan’s deterrent posture but also solidifies the strategic alliance between the two states, especially with shared apprehensions about India’s expanding defence capabilities and regional aspirations.

The documentary revealed that the J-10C’s performance is garnering global interest. The fighter aircraft, being shown at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) in Malaysia, has emerged as a focal point of China’s international armaments selling strategy. Its participation at LIMA is part of a comprehensive strategy to establish the J-10C as a credible alternative to Western platforms like the American F-16 or the French Rafale, especially for countries desiring advanced capabilities without the limitations often associated with Western military transactions.

From a geopolitical perspective, China’s choice to broadcast this documentary fulfills many objectives. It enhances national pride in the nation’s technical accomplishments and strengthens support for military modernization. It highlights China’s increasing proficiency as a military exporter and establishes it as a counterbalance to conventional Western suppliers. The focus on Pakistan’s operational success with the J-10C enhances the aircraft’s combat performance credibility, a crucial factor in the competitive global weapons market.

The documentary suggests a new age of asymmetrical conflict, when the technical superiority traditionally held by the West is now contested by rising nations such as China. The effective deployment of the J-10C in combat operations significantly impacts regional stability and may compel neighbouring nations to re-evaluate their air defence strategy and acquisition decisions.

The documentary on China’s J-10C not only commemorates a technological achievement but also indicates a geopolitical transformation in global air force dynamics. By emphasizing the fighter jet’s operational performance under Pakistan’s control, China reinforces its position as a crucial actor in global security matters. For Pakistan, this victory signifies a pivotal achievement in its pursuit of air superiority and highlights the advantages of its strengthening defence relations with Beijing. As tensions simmer in South Asia, the J-10C stands as both a symbol and instrument of power in a region where air dominance can shape the outcomes of future conflicts.