Images circulating on different social media platforms suggest that thePakistan Air Force (PAF) has received the first batch of Chengdu J-10Csemi-stealth 4.5-gen advanced multi-role fighter jets from China.
Last month, Chinese plane spotters shared unofficial images of two J-10Cfighters with PAF markings undergoing test flights at the airbase ofChengdu Aircraft Corporation, a Chinese aerospace conglomerate that designsand manufactures combat aircraft.
The appearance of these images on social media platforms suggested that itwas only a matter of time before the PAF receives the delivery of the firstbatch of J-10Cs from China.
Last year in December, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed had revealedthat 25 J-10C fighter jets of PAF will perform a fly-over on the PakistanDay Parade on 23 March 2022.
In July last year, it was initially reported that Pakistan will get a totalof 36 J-10C fighter jets from China. This means the remaining jets will bedelivered in the second batch.
Many aspects of the J-10C mid-sized fighter jet, including the size,aerodynamic characteristics, aviation, weapon systems, and overall combatcapability are comparable to the Rafale fighter jet of the Indian Air Force(IAF).
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This is why the Interior Minister had asserted that the J-10C fighter jetsof PAF would counter the Rafale fighter jets of India.More About Chengdu J-10C
The single-engine tail-less canard delta wing J-10C features fly-by-wireflight controls and an AESA fire control radar. It is made of compositematerials for high strength and lower weight. Its internal armamentconsists of a Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 twin-barrel cannon, locatedunderneath the port side of the intake.
Other weaponry and equipment are mounted externally on 11 hardpoints, towhich 6,000 kg of either missiles or bombs, drop-tanks containing fuel, orother equipment such as avionics pods can be attached.
Air-to-air missiles deployed by the J-10C may include short-rangeair-to-air missiles such as the PL-8 and PL-10, medium-range radar-guidedair-to-air missiles such as the PL-12 and PL-15, unguided andprecision-guided munitions such as laser-guided bombs, air-to-surfacemissiles such as KD-88, anti-ship missiles such as the YJ-91A, andanti-radiation missiles such as the YJ-91.
