Key Points and Summary – The Chinese-made J-10CE “Vigorous Dragon” fighter jet has proven to be a highly capable and cost-effective export for Beijing, significantly demonstrated by its recent combat success with the Pakistan Air Force.
-In clashes with the Indian Air Force in May, the J-10CE was reportedly responsible for downing four Indian Dassault Rafale fighters without suffering any losses itself.
-This performance, combined with its advanced features like an AESA radar and a price tag of around $50 million, makes the 4.5-generation fighter an attractive option for foreign militaries and a point of concern for Western defense planners evaluating the capabilities of Chinese military hardware.
China Is Excited About the Performance of the J-10CE Export Fighter Jet
The Chinese have a hit on their hands with an affordable and combat-tested fighter that has wowed crowds at air shows and given the Pakistani air force an edge in warfare. The J-10CE is the export version of the J-10, also known as the Vigorous Dragon, a valuable warbird for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
Let’s take a closer look at the J-10CE and examine why more foreign militaries may have designs on the up-and-coming fighter jet.
Proven in Battle Already
The J-10CE is an all-weather, single-engine, single-seat multirole fighter that is straightforward and easy to fly. The Pakistani air force used it to significant effect in combat clashes with the Indian air force in May.
It was a mainstay in one large dogfight and may have been responsible for downing four Indian Dassault Rafale warplanes during that engagement. The J-10CE suffered no losses in that fight.
“It features system-integrated combat capabilities, enabling beyond-visual-range multi-target engagement and multi-mode precision ground strikes capabilities in intense electromagnetic confrontational environments,” Chinese military expert Zhang Xuefeng told CCTV as noted by the Global Times.
What Makes This Airplane So Valuable?
The J-10CE can be refueled in the air to extend its range. The airplane has digital fly-by-wire controls and can execute maneuvers at high and low altitudes. The J-10CE features components and coatings that make it a formidable competitor in aerial combat, akin to fourth-generation jets.
The J-10CE is a cost-effective jet that costs significantly less than the Dassault Rafale, likely prompting the Indian Air Force to wonder if it made a mistake when choosing the French-made fighter. The J-10CE costs around $50 million a unit.
Winner of the Culture and Business Wars Too
The Chinese public is taking delight in the news of the J-10CE’s combat prowess. There has been at least one song that featured the warbird’s success. The Chinese stock market has seen the share price of the manufacturer Chengdu increase after the clash with India.
The J-10CE’s success against the Rafale has NATO battle planners wondering if there is something wrong with the French-made fighter or whether the Chinese have made superior improvements to the J-10 for better sales on the export market.
Is It Another F-16?
The J-10CE is comparable to the American F-16 Fighting Falcon. It is a versatile multi-role fighter with ground strike capability. The Pakistanis ordered 20 J-10CEs in 2022. The first J-10 prototype took to the skies in 1998. The J-10C variant was delivered to China’s PLAAF in 2016.
The J-10CE features “an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, helmet-mounted display and sight (HMD/S) system, infrared search and track (IRST), and integrated electronic countermeasures (ECM) system,” according to Quwa.
The fighter can hit MACH 1.8 and perform maneuvers at up to 8g. Its combat range is 770 miles, but that can be extended to 1,600 miles with an aerial refueling.
Pakistan is likely to purchase more J-10CEs as it evaluates its performance against India, using after-action reviews that its pilots can review and improve upon.
The Chinese must be pleased, although the military has not explicitly commented on the J-10CE’s performance that much. Interestingly, the J-10CE has gained significant presence in the public consciousness and popular culture in China.
J-10CE Fighter in 1 Word: Dangerous
China is thus seeking more customers for the J-10CE. It will likely continue to be a hit at air shows and garner significant attention in the export market.
Many air forces from the Global South will perk up their ears and raise their eyebrows when witnessing the flight characteristics of the J-10CE. This airplane is affordable and combat-proven. It displayed its worth in one of the largest dogfights in recent history.
What’s impressive is that the J-10CE is not even China’s most advanced fighter. The J-20 Mighty Dragon is even better. There are also two stealth airplanes in the Chinese inventory, so the Americans are also reviewing the Vigorous Dragon’s performance against the Rafales.
One well-trained pilot could take the J-10CE and make a difference in combat.
China and Pakistan should be enthused about the J-10CE. The Pakistanis are likely looking to expand their fleet, and the J-10CE is a suitable choice. The Pakistani pilots with combat experience and aerial kills will be able to train their mates on the ins and outs of flying the Vigorous Dragon. More air forces in the developing world are expected to place orders, and NATO is likely concerned about the poor performance of the French Dassault Rafale.
We will see how the J-10CE sells in the coming months. It is an inexpensive option for countries that cannot afford a stealth fighter. Who knows? The Chinese who love karaoke may be singing songs about the Vigorous Dragon in nightclubs around Beijing.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
The Best Tanks on Earth
AbramsX: The Tank the US Army Wants
