Summary and Key Points: Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has reported that Pakistan Air Force J-10C fighters posted a perfect 9-0 record against Qatari Eurofighter Typhoons in simulated dogfights and beyond-visual-range engagements during a 2024 joint exercise.
No exercise parameters were released, and the claim comes from Chinese state media — but the reported result has become a propaganda win for China’s aviation industry and a marketing tool as Beijing pushes the J-10C to buyers from Pakistan and Egypt to Iran, which has called it a better aircraft than the F-16.
J-10C vs. Eurofighter Typhoon: Who Wins?
J-10 Fighter From China. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
J-10. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has published reports that J-10C fighters operated by the Pakistan Air Force won overwhelming victories in simulated air-to-air engagements against Qatar Emiri Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets in an exercise.
The South China Morning Post reported that during the “Zilzal-II” joint air exercises, Chinese J-10C fighters posted a perfect 9-0 record against Qatari Eurofighter Typhoons in simulated air engagements, both in close-range dogfights and beyond-visual-range (BVR) scenarios.
Media outlets from various Gulf countries confirmed the results of the one-sided aerial engagements that took place in Qatar in 2024.
Military Watch Magazine posted that, “Qatar operates some of the world’s few Tranche 3A or Tranche 4 variants, which are significantly more advanced than those fielded by the European partner states that developed the aircraft, and integrate the new Captor-E active electronically scanned array radar.”
Eurofighter Typhoon Fighter 2026. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Eurofighter Typhoon Upgrade. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Eurofighter Typhoon on the Runway. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Despite no exercise parameters being released, this was a huge propaganda win for the Chinese aviation industry and a massive setback for the Eurofighter, which has been steadily losing ground to the US-built F-35 on the continent.
Meet The J-10C “Vigorous Dragon”
The Chengdu J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” (NATO code-named “Firebird”) is a 4.5-generation medium-weight, single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft with a delta-wing design, AESA radar, and a diverse weapons array.
With 11 hardpoints, it carries air-to-air, anti-ship, and air-to-surface missiles, as well as laser-guided bombs. It was designed and built in China.
The J-10C is powered by a WS-10B afterburning turbofan engine, producing roughly 130–144 kN of thrust with afterburner. The engine powers the aircraft to a top speed of Mach 2.0 (1,319 mph at altitude).
The J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” Is Being Vigorously Exported
The Chengdu J-10C is being aggressively exported to the Middle East, with sales to Bangladesh and Pakistan, and Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria are interested. Iran is also reportedly interested, calling it a rival with better performance than the F-16.
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 16th Weapons Squadron flies over the Nevada Test and Training Range during a Weapons School Integration (WSINT) mission, June 9, 2025. WSINT is a graduate-level training event that combines multi-domain assets in large-force scenarios, enabling U.S. Air Force and joint service members to hone tactical expertise and integrate advanced capabilities in a dynamic threat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jose Miguel T. Tamondong)
The Iranians Are Interested In “A Better Aircraft Than The F-16”
Iranian Air Force Commander Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi met with his Chinese counterpart, General Chang Dingqiu, to discuss possible areas of cooperation between the two services while discussing the J-10’s capabilities.
Iran has yet to acquire a Chinese combat aircraft, with money likely the driving factor. However, the Iranian Air Force Commander’s inspection of the J-10C had drawn media interest and attendance, which was probably the intent. Although military officers attending observed that the aircraft was a viable option for the Iranian Air Force in terms of capability and price.
A government-controlled Iranian news media outlet called ‘Iran Observer’ wrote on the social media site X: “With a price tag of $40 million, 100 J-10s will cost $4 billion. The J-10s are better than the F-16s in terms of weapons and flight performance.”
China offered it to Brazil, but the Brazilian government declined.
Apparently, China wanted access to the Alcântara Launch Center. But China could have triggered concerns within Brazil’s traditional allies, particularly the United States, given the site’s strategic importance and the implications for regional security dynamics. It should be noted that China’s offer of the J-10CE is not just about exporting fighter jets—it’s about extending its influence into Latin America’s defense sector.
The J-10C’s Capabilities
The J-10CE (export version) integrates advanced avionics, weaponry, and stealth features that mark a significant upgrade over its predecessors in the J-10 family.
At the core of the J-10CE’s design is its aerodynamic configuration, featuring a delta wing and canard layout. This design choice enhances maneuverability and control at high angles of attack, making the aircraft highly agile in dogfights. The airframe incorporates composite materials to reduce weight and radar cross-section, contributing to its semi-stealth capabilities.
It looks remarkably like the F-16, except for the canards. And we all know China’s penchant for industrial appropriation; their espionage is well known and considered a typical modus operandi for them.
At the Zhuhai Air Show in November 2024, China displayed a Chengdu J-10CE fighter jet, marked with tail numbers 74825 and 9001, the latter of which was widely anticipated to join the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) after the exhibition.
The J-10CE model includes additional upgrades, such as a staggered dual-missile pylon system incorporating two short-range missiles, six beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles, and external drop tanks, thereby expanding its payload and operational range.
The J-10CE has added the KLJ-10 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which aims to improve detection and targeting in environments with significant jamming interference.
Positioned on the aircraft’s nose, the AESA radar, the Chinese claim, has an approximately 50-kilometer detection range advantage over the F-16C Block 52 radar system, giving the J-10CE the advantage to engage enemy aircraft from a greater distance
The powerplant for the J-10CE was the Russian-made AL-31FN; now, they are transitioning to the domestically produced WS-10B turbofan engine. Both options provide a thrust-to-weight ratio that supports the aircraft’s agility and allows it to easily achieve supersonic speeds of Mach 1.8.
The WS-10B is especially noted for its reliability and performance improvements, including increased thrust and reduced maintenance needs compared to the Russian powerplant.
The J-10C’s Varied Armaments
The 11 external hardpoints allow the aircraft to carry a variety of weapons. Air-to-air missiles include the Chinese-made Python PL-8 and the Russian-made Vympel R-73 or R-77. The J-10 can also carry anti-ship missiles. Plus, air-to-surface missiles and laser-guided bombs.
The J-10C also uses the PL-15 (Thunderbolt-15), an advanced, Chinese active radar-guided, very long-range beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile.
Developed by the China Airborne Missile Academy (CAMA), it features a dual-pulse solid-rocket motor and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, enabling it to strike targets at ranges of 200–300 km at speeds exceeding Mach 5.
Airforce-Technology.com wrote, “The aircraft can be fitted with a forward-looking infrared and laser target designator pod, which supports deployment of laser and satellite navigation guided weapons.”
Military aviation analysts believe that, given the success the aircraft had against the Eurofighter Typhoons and the very positive general reviews of the aircraft, it could lead to many countries in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East becoming interested in purchasing the J-10C
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
