Chinese J-10C Fighters Showcase Operational Readiness in November Drills
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In early November 2024, J-10C fighter jets from an aviation brigade under the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) demonstrated their operational capabilities in flight training exercises. This event highlights China’s ongoing efforts to enhance combat readiness and improve the tactical skills of its air units.
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The J-10C has also gained attention on the international market due to its cost-effectiveness and modern capabilities (Picture source: China Military)
The Chengdu J-10C, a multirole fourth-generation fighter, has been in service with the PLAAF since 2018. Developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC), the aircraft features a tailless delta-canard aerodynamic design that enhances maneuverability and lift. Initially powered by the Russian AL-31FN turbofan engine, the J-10C now uses the domestically produced WS-10B engine, which offers improved thrust and reliability. The fighter can reach a top speed of Mach 2.2 and has an operational range of 3,200 km.
Equipped with indigenous avionics, the J-10C features an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for accurate target detection and tracking. It also incorporates an advanced electronic warfare system and an infrared search and track (IRST) sensor. The aircraft’s armament includes short-range PL-10 and long-range PL-15 air-to-air missiles, as well as laser-guided bombs and air-to-ground missiles for strike missions. With 11 external hardpoints, the J-10C can carry up to 5,600 kg of payloads, including external fuel tanks and various avionics pods.
The J-10C has also gained international attention due to its cost-effectiveness and modern capabilities. In addition to its deployment in China, Pakistan has acquired a fleet of J-10CE fighters, a customized export variant, strengthening bilateral strategic ties and enhancing Pakistan’s air combat capabilities. Egypt has also expressed interest in procuring a dozen J-10Cs as a cost-effective alternative to Western models like the F-16V or Russian jets such as the Su-35.
The November training exercises involved complex scenarios, including successive takeoffs by multiple J-10Cs, a maneuver that requires high levels of coordination and readiness. These drills simulated realistic combat conditions, testing the pilots’ ability to deploy rapidly, engage mid-air, and operate in integrated scenarios with other units. Such exercises not only improve individual and collective capabilities but also ensure interoperability among the various branches of the armed forces.
The timing and scale of these exercises underscore China’s focus on maintaining high operational readiness in a region marked by increasing instability. Although specific details remain undisclosed, the inclusion of advanced platforms like the J-10C demonstrates the PLAAF’s emphasis on integrating cutting-edge technology into its training programs.
China’s growing military capabilities, particularly in the air domain, reflect its ambition to establish itself as a dominant force in the Asia-Pacific and beyond. The modernization of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is underpinned by significant investments in research, development, and advanced production capabilities. The PLAAF’s fleet includes modern combat aircraft such as the J-10C, the fifth-generation stealth fighter J-20, and the J-16 multirole fighter-bomber, which draws design inspiration from the Russian Su-30.
Additionally, China is working to replace its Shenyang J-15 carrier-based fighter with the Shenyang J-35, also known as the J-35A, a fifth-generation stealth fighter designed for aircraft carrier operations. The J-35 conducted its maiden flight in October 2021 and was showcased publicly at the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024.
This fleet is supported by strategic transport aircraft like the Y-20 and aerial refueling tankers essential for extended-range operations. It also includes strategic bombers such as the H-6K, capable of carrying long-range cruise missiles, and a variety of advanced drones, including the WZ-7 and CH-5, for surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions. This qualitative improvement is accompanied by quantitative growth, with thousands of operational aircraft, reflecting China’s intent to compete with leading global air forces and strengthen its control in strategic regions like the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific.
Despite the technological advancements of Chinese fighters like the J-10C, J-20, and J-16, their lack of combat experience leaves uncertainty about their performance in real-world engagements against technologically advanced adversaries.
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In early November 2024, J-10C fighter jets from an aviation brigade under the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) demonstrated their operational capabilities in flight training exercises. This event highlights China’s ongoing efforts to enhance combat readiness and improve the tactical skills of its air units.
The J-10C has also gained attention on the international market due to its cost-effectiveness and modern capabilities (Picture source: China Military)
The Chengdu J-10C, a multirole fourth-generation fighter, has been in service with the PLAAF since 2018. Developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC), the aircraft features a tailless delta-canard aerodynamic design that enhances maneuverability and lift. Initially powered by the Russian AL-31FN turbofan engine, the J-10C now uses the domestically produced WS-10B engine, which offers improved thrust and reliability. The fighter can reach a top speed of Mach 2.2 and has an operational range of 3,200 km.
Equipped with indigenous avionics, the J-10C features an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for accurate target detection and tracking. It also incorporates an advanced electronic warfare system and an infrared search and track (IRST) sensor. The aircraft’s armament includes short-range PL-10 and long-range PL-15 air-to-air missiles, as well as laser-guided bombs and air-to-ground missiles for strike missions. With 11 external hardpoints, the J-10C can carry up to 5,600 kg of payloads, including external fuel tanks and various avionics pods.
The J-10C has also gained international attention due to its cost-effectiveness and modern capabilities. In addition to its deployment in China, Pakistan has acquired a fleet of J-10CE fighters, a customized export variant, strengthening bilateral strategic ties and enhancing Pakistan’s air combat capabilities. Egypt has also expressed interest in procuring a dozen J-10Cs as a cost-effective alternative to Western models like the F-16V or Russian jets such as the Su-35.
The November training exercises involved complex scenarios, including successive takeoffs by multiple J-10Cs, a maneuver that requires high levels of coordination and readiness. These drills simulated realistic combat conditions, testing the pilots’ ability to deploy rapidly, engage mid-air, and operate in integrated scenarios with other units. Such exercises not only improve individual and collective capabilities but also ensure interoperability among the various branches of the armed forces.
The timing and scale of these exercises underscore China’s focus on maintaining high operational readiness in a region marked by increasing instability. Although specific details remain undisclosed, the inclusion of advanced platforms like the J-10C demonstrates the PLAAF’s emphasis on integrating cutting-edge technology into its training programs.
China’s growing military capabilities, particularly in the air domain, reflect its ambition to establish itself as a dominant force in the Asia-Pacific and beyond. The modernization of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is underpinned by significant investments in research, development, and advanced production capabilities. The PLAAF’s fleet includes modern combat aircraft such as the J-10C, the fifth-generation stealth fighter J-20, and the J-16 multirole fighter-bomber, which draws design inspiration from the Russian Su-30.
Additionally, China is working to replace its Shenyang J-15 carrier-based fighter with the Shenyang J-35, also known as the J-35A, a fifth-generation stealth fighter designed for aircraft carrier operations. The J-35 conducted its maiden flight in October 2021 and was showcased publicly at the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024.
This fleet is supported by strategic transport aircraft like the Y-20 and aerial refueling tankers essential for extended-range operations. It also includes strategic bombers such as the H-6K, capable of carrying long-range cruise missiles, and a variety of advanced drones, including the WZ-7 and CH-5, for surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions. This qualitative improvement is accompanied by quantitative growth, with thousands of operational aircraft, reflecting China’s intent to compete with leading global air forces and strengthen its control in strategic regions like the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific.
Despite the technological advancements of Chinese fighters like the J-10C, J-20, and J-16, their lack of combat experience leaves uncertainty about their performance in real-world engagements against technologically advanced adversaries.
