The unofficial images of the Chinese Chengdu J-10C semi-stealth 4.5-genadvanced multirole fighter jets with the markings of the Pakistan Air Force(PAF) appeared online last week.
While the deal between China and Pakistan for the acquisition of a total of36 J-10Cs is expected to be made official on the occasion of the PakistanDay Parade on 23 March with the induction of 25 jets initially, defenseexperts have lauded the strengthening bilateral defense cooperation betweenthe two neighbors.
Speaking in this regard, Executive Chief Editor of the Chinese magazine,Shipborne Weapons, Shi Hong, said that the J-10C deal marks the beginningof a new era of defense cooperation between China and Pakistan as it is thefirst time ever that the former has exported the jets to any other country.
The J-10C jet is more powerful than JF-17, which has been developed jointlyby China and Pakistan, as it is larger in size and can carry more advancedfourth-generation air-to-air missiles including the short-range PL-10 andthe beyond-visual-range PL-15.
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It is also more powerful than the American F-16 jet, which is in servicewith the PAF, and the French Rafale jet, which recently entered servicewith Indian Air Force (IAF).
Shi Hong clarified that J-10C will not replace the JF-17, which is inservice with the PAF, but the combination of both jets will consolidatePAF’s aerial defensive and combat capacities.