Aircraft & UAVs

Chengdu J-10C

The Chengdu J-10C is a Chinese single-engine multirole fighter with AESA radar, modern electronic systems, and compatibility with PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles. Pakistan's export J-10CE fleet became central to open-source reporting on the 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict, where the aircraft was described as part of Pakistan's long-range air-to-air kill chain against Indian aircraft.

2025 India-Pakistan ConflictPakistan

Conflict side: Pakistan
Built by: Chengdu Aircraft Industry GroupAviation Industry Corporation of China
Built in: China

Chengdu J-10C, Single-engine multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Image source: J-10CE for Pakistan air force in Zhuhai airshow 2024

Profile

Type: Single-engine multirole fighter aircraft
Conflict side: Pakistan
Origin: China
Service note: 2010s-present

fighter aircraft air defense strike

Service History

In service: J-10C entered PLAAF service in the mid-2010s; Pakistan inducted the export J-10CE in March 2022
Used by: Pakistan Air Force, People's Liberation Army Air Force
Wars: 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict

Production History

Designer: Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute
Designed: J-10C first flew in December 2013
Built by: Chengdu Aircraft Industry GroupAviation Industry Corporation of China
Built in: China
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
Variants: J-10C, J-10CE export variant

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

Conflict Usage

2025 India-Pakistan Conflict: Side: PakistanRole: Beyond-visual-range air-to-air combatair defense
Pakistan fielded J-10C/J-10CE fighters with PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles during the May 2025 air battle; reporting attributes at least one Indian fighter loss to the combination, while several loss and kill claims remain disputed.

Chengdu J-10C Images

Chengdu J-10C, Single-engine multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1 — Source: J-10CE for Pakistan air force in Zhuhai airshow 2024

Chengdu J-10C, Single-engine multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2 — Source: J-10C 20250921

Chengdu J-10C, Single-engine multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 3 — Source: J-10C at Changchun Air Show 20250921

Chengdu J-10C, Single-engine multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 4 — Source: KASAU Marshal Tony Harjono J-10CE Zhuhai Airshow 2024

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Sources

Chengdu 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: 2026-06-21 Pakistan's use of J-10C jets and missiles exposes potency of Chinese weaponryPublisher: The Guardian | Note: Supports 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict direct use: Pakistan reportedly used Chinese-made J-10C jets with PL-15 missiles during the May 2025 confrontation, while noting official and analytical uncertainty around some claims. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Indian Rafale Downed in Largest Air Battle in Decades Due to Intel Failure on PL-15 RangePublisher: The Aviationist | Note: Supports 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict direct use: Pakistan Air Force J-10C fighters reportedly used PL-15 missiles in the May 7, 2025 beyond-visual-range air battle. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 J-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: 2026-06-21 J-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: 2026-06-21 J-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: 2026-06-21 KASAU 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: 2026-06-21