China has been consistently providing cutting-edge military equipment to its closest ally and iron brother, Pakistan. This military cooperation is seen by many as a Chinese ploy aimed at counterbalancing India’s military power in the region.
Chinese analysts recently lauded the defense cooperation between Beijing and Islamabad after images of J-10C aircraft with markings of the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) emerged on social media.
The first squadron of 25 J-10Cs, China’s latest J-10 variant, is expected to arrive shortly, according to previous reports, with the aircraft set to perform a fly-past at the Pakistan Day parade on March 23, 2022.
The Chinese commentators stated that the move is significant for both countries in terms of improving Pakistan’s combat capabilities, promoting China’s aviation equipment, and responding to both countries’ regional security objectives.
The photographs, which were first shared on social media on February 15, featured two J-10Cs equipped with China’s domestically manufactured WS-10B Taihang turbofan engines conducting test flights at an unidentified location. The serial numbers 22-102 and 22-106 were also visible in the close-ups, implying that at least two aircraft were being tested.
“The J-10C is larger and can be equipped with bigger active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar than the one used by the JF-17 Block 3,” Shi said, noting that the J-10C can carry more advanced, fourth-generation air-to-air missiles including the short-range PL-10 and the beyond-visual-range PL-15.
“The J-10C is also significantly more powerful than the old US-made F-16 fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force and can rival the Rafale fighter jet that recently entered service with the Indian Air Force,” Shi said, adding, “Pakistan’s J-10C will not replace the JF-17, but form a combination, leading to higher combat capabilities.”
