J-10C Fighter Specs, Weapons, Combat Claims and Operators

The Chengdu J-10C is a single-engine, canard-delta multirole fighter with an AESA radar and a reported 11 weapon stations, and it is the only Chinese fighter to have its combat performance argued over in public, after the India-Pakistan air clashes of May 2025. Most of its specifications come from Chinese state media and the manufacturer, and the combat claims are disputed, so this guide labels each figure by source.

What is the J-10C

The J-10 is a light multirole fighter developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, part of AVIC, and first entered Chinese service in the early 2000s. Early versions used a Russian-built AL-31FN turbofan and a mechanically scanned radar. The J-10C, which began reaching the PLA Air Force in the late 2010s, is the modernized version, with an AESA radar, upgraded avionics, a reported domestic WS-10B engine and compatibility with the PL-15 missile.

In practical terms the J-10C is China’s answer to the F-16 Block 70 and the Rafale: a relatively affordable, agile fighter that can be built in numbers and exported to customers who cannot afford fifth-generation types. It is not stealthy, and it does not try to be.

J-10C specifications

J-10C weapons and radar

The headline weapon is the PL-15 active-radar air-to-air missile, which Chinese sources describe as a long-range beyond-visual-range weapon. Those range figures are manufacturer claims and have not been independently confirmed. The J-10C also carries the PL-10 short-range missile, guided bombs, anti-ship missiles and targeting pods for ground attack.

Its AESA radar matters because it improves detection range and resistance to jamming compared with older mechanical scan sets, as our explainer on AESA radar describes. Specific performance numbers are not public.

J-10C in the May 2025 India-Pakistan clashes

In May 2025, India and Pakistan exchanged strikes after an attack in Kashmir, with air engagements among the fighting. Pakistan said its J-10Cs, armed with PL-15 missiles, shot down several Indian aircraft, including French-built Rafales. India disputed the numbers and details; Indian military leaders acknowledged that aircraft were lost but did not give a full accounting. Media reports citing unnamed US officials supported at least some Pakistani claims.

The episode matters beyond the tally. It was the first large-scale combat use reported for China’s modern fighter and missile combination, and it triggered fresh interest in Chinese aircraft. It also showed how quickly each side’s version of events spreads, well before wreckage or flight data can settle anything.

Who operates the J-10C

The PLA Air Force is the main user, with production estimated in the hundreds across all J-10 variants. Pakistan is the first confirmed export customer, buying the J-10CE version, and media reports have linked several other countries, including Egypt, Indonesia and Bangladesh, to possible purchases, though deals should be treated as reports until confirmed. For how it compares with other fighters, see our F-16 guide.

J-10C frequently asked questions

Is the J-10C a fifth-generation fighter?

No. It is usually classed as a 4.5-generation fighter with an AESA radar, but it is not stealthy.

Did the J-10C shoot down Rafales?

Pakistan says so, and some media reports citing US officials back part of the claim, but India disputes the details and no independent account exists.

Who buys the J-10C?

Pakistan is the confirmed export customer, and several other countries have been reported as interested.

What missiles does the J-10C use?

The PL-15 and PL-10 air-to-air missiles, plus guided bombs and anti-ship weapons.

How does the J-10C compare with the F-16?

Both are lightweight single-engine multirole fighters, and the J-10C competes with the F-16 Block 70 for export buyers.