- Side
- Pakistan
Pakistan fielded Chinese-made J-10C/J-10CE fighters in the May 7, 2025 air battle, with Reuters reporting J-10-launched PL-15 shots against Indian aircraft; aircraft-loss claims remain disputed.
Aircraft & UAVs
Chengdu J-10C
Also known as
- Chengdu J-10
- J-10 Vigorous Dragon
- J-10CE
- J-10C Dragon
- Menglong
- Vigorous Dragon
- Firebird
The Chengdu J-10C is a Chinese single-engine multirole fighter developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group and exported as the J-10CE. Public manufacturer and state-media material emphasizes all-weather multirole missions, AESA-class radar, electronic-warfare and cooperative-engagement features, PL-15/PL-15E beyond-visual-range missile compatibility, and Pakistan's documented use of the type during the 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict.
Role in Conflicts
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- China
- Type
- Single-engine multirole fighter aircraft
- Service note
- 2010s-present
- Designer
- Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute
- Designed
- J-10C first flew in December 2013
- Unit cost
- Pakistan's reported 20-aircraft package was valued at about $1.525 billion including engines and PL-15E missiles
- Produced
- 2010s-present
- Number built
- Not publicly confirmed
Specifications
- Crew
- 1
- Length
- 16.9 m
- Wingspan
- 9.8 m
- Height
- 5.7 m
- Maximum speed
- Mach 1.8
- Combat radius
- About 1,240 km
- Ferry range
- About 2,950 km
- Engine
- WS-10B turbofan reported for J-10CE
- Avionics
- AESA radar, helmet-mounted display/sight, infrared search and track, and integrated electronic countermeasures
- Armament
- Compatible with PL-15 long-range and PL-10 high-off-boresight air-to-air missiles
- Official export description
- Single-seat, single-engine, all-weather multirole advanced fighter derived from the J-10C
- Export capabilities
- Cooperative engagement capability, BVR multi-target attack in strong electromagnetic environments, multi-mode precision ground strike, air refueling, and integrated avionics/weapon system
- NATO reporting name
- Firebird
- Chinese nickname
- Menglong / Vigorous Dragon
Export Configuration
CATIC markets the J-10CE as the export branch of the J-10C family rather than a clean-sheet aircraft. Public descriptions emphasize a single-seat, single-engine airframe with all-weather multirole tasks, cooperative engagement, beyond-visual-range attack, precision ground strike, air-refueling, and integrated avionics and weapon systems.
Export branch
J-10CE is the export derivative of the J-10C and is described by China Daily as the first J-10 variant designed specifically for export.
Sources: CATIC J-10CE Product Page; China Daily J-10CE Paris Air Show.
BVR emphasis
CATIC highlights multi-target BVR attack in strong electromagnetic environments, while China Daily describes PL-15E missiles displayed with the aircraft model.
Sources: CATIC J-10CE Product Page; China Daily J-10CE Paris Air Show.
Pakistan service
Pakistan inducted its first six J-10CE fighters in March 2022 and later fielded the type in the May 2025 air battle with India.
Sources: Pakistan Air Force inducts 6 Chinese J-10CE jets; How Pakistan shot down India's cutting-edge fighter using Chinese gear.
Variants
Public sources treat the J-10C as the modern PLAAF multirole fighter variant and J-10CE as the export derivative marketed by CATIC.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| J-10C | PLAAF single-seat multirole fighter | Entered PLA Air Force combat duty on April 16, 2018; sources describe advanced avionics, multiple airborne weapons, and land/maritime precision-strike capability. Sources: Xinhua J-10C Combat Duty |
| J-10CE | Export derivative of J-10C | CATIC markets it as a single-seat, single-engine, all-weather multirole fighter derived from the J-10C, with cooperative engagement, BVR attack, precision-strike, air-refueling, avionics, and weapon-system capabilities. Sources: CATIC J-10CE Product Page, China Daily J-10CE Paris Air Show |
| J-10B | Earlier upgraded J-10 family variant | China Daily describes the J-10C as more streamlined, harder to detect, and operationally stronger than the J-10A and J-10B. Sources: China Daily J-10CE Paris Air Show |
| J-10S | Two-seat J-10 family variant | Mitchell lists J-10S among active J-10 variants in the broader family. Sources: Mitchell J-10 Technical Data |
Carried Munitions
The J-10C family is documented as a launch platform for long-range Chinese air-to-air missiles.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile | Quwa documents PL-15 compatibility for the J-10CE, and Reuters reporting on the May 2025 air battle tied Pakistan's J-10C scramble to PL-15 shots. Sources: Chengdu J-10CE Dragon Multi-Role Fighter, How Pakistan shot down India's cutting-edge fighter using Chinese gear |
Timeline
Chengdu J-10C Key Events
J-10C public debut
Xinhua says the J-10C debuted publicly during the PLA 90th anniversary event at Zhurihe.
Sources: Xinhua J-10C Combat Duty
J-10C begins PLAAF combat duty
The PLA Air Force announced J-10C combat duty, citing advanced avionics, multiple airborne weapons, and land/maritime precision-strike capability.
Sources: Xinhua J-10C Combat Duty
Pakistan inducts first J-10CE fighters
Pakistan inducted the first six J-10CE fighters at Minhas Airbase in Kamra, with reporting describing an eight-month delivery interval after contract signature.
Sources: Pakistan Air Force inducts 6 Chinese J-10CE jets, First Batch of Chinese J-10 Fighters Delivered to Pakistan
Reported combat use in India-Pakistan air battle
Reuters-linked reporting tied Pakistani J-10C fighters and PL-15 shots to the May 7 air battle, while public aircraft-loss counts remained disputed.
Sources: How Pakistan shot down India's cutting-edge fighter using Chinese gear
Media
Chengdu J-10C Videos
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
CATIC J-10CE Product PagePublisher: China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation | Note: Supports J-10CE export designation, derivation from J-10C, single-seat/single-engine all-weather multirole description, cooperative engagement, BVR, precision-strike, air-refueling, avionics, and weapon-system claims. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Xinhua J-10C Combat DutyPublisher: Xinhua | Note: Supports April 16, 2018 PLAAF J-10C combat-duty announcement, July 2017 public debut, advanced avionics, airborne weapons, and land/maritime precision-strike capability. | Accessed: 2026-07-04China Daily J-10CE Paris Air ShowPublisher: China Daily | Note: Supports AVIC/CATIC Paris Air Show J-10CE marketing details, PL-15E display context, fourth-plus-generation description, radar/avionics/EW/inter-system operation claims, and first export-specific J-10 variant claim. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Mitchell J-10 Technical DataPublisher: Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies | Note: Supports J-10 family contractor, Firebird/Menglong names, active variants, dimensions, powerplant, speed, range, ceiling, gun, and listed air-to-air missiles including PL-15. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Chengdu J-10CE Dragon Multi-Role FighterPublisher: Quwa | Note: Supports Chengdu J-10C/J-10CE manufacturer background, Pakistan induction context, avionics, compatible missiles, and specifications. | Accessed: 2026-07-04How Pakistan shot down India's cutting-edge fighter using Chinese gearPublisher: The Business Standard | Note: Supports 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict direct use: Reuters reporting says Pakistan scrambled Chinese-made J-10C jets on May 7, 2025 and ties J-10-launched PL-15 missiles to the air battle, while noting disputed loss claims. | Accessed: 2026-07-04China's J-10 'Dragon' shows teeth in India-Pakistan combat debutPublisher: Financial Times | Note: Supports 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict direct use: FT reported the J-10's combat debut in the May 2025 India-Pakistan skirmish and described the J-10C as part of Pakistan's response. | Accessed: 2026-07-04First Batch of Chinese J-10 Fighters Delivered to PakistanPublisher: Aviation International News | Note: Supports Pakistan delivery context and visible J-10CE airframe features, including the refueling probe and infrared seeker highlighted by the Pakistan Air Force photo caption. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Pakistan Air Force inducts 6 Chinese J-10CE jetsPublisher: People's Daily Online | Note: Supports Pakistan's March 2022 first-batch J-10CE induction, contract-to-delivery context, AVIC design/manufacture statement, and J-10CE BVR/precision-strike capability descriptions attributed to AVIC and Chinese observers. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Pakistan's use of J-10C jets and missiles exposes potency of Chinese weaponryPublisher: The Guardian | Note: Supports 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict direct-use context: Guardian reported Pakistani claims that Chinese-made J-10C jets and PL-15 missiles were used during the May 2025 clash, while noting Indian confirmation limits and disputed claims. | Accessed: 2026-07-04J-10CE for Pakistan air force in Zhuhai airshow 2024Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a J-10CE displayed for Pakistan Air Force at Zhuhai Airshow 2024; the file page lists own work released under CC0. | Accessed: 2026-07-04J-10C 20250921Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a J-10C at the 2025 Changchun Air Show; the file page lists own work under CC BY-SA 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-07-04J-10C at Changchun Air Show 20250921Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a J-10C at the 2025 Changchun Air Show; the file page lists own work under CC BY-SA 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-07-04KASAU Marshal Tony Harjono J-10CE Zhuhai Airshow 2024Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a Chengdu J-10CE at Zhuhai Airshow 2024; the file page lists Indonesian Air Force Information Service as author and public-domain Indonesian government status. | Accessed: 2026-07-04