ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has formally inducted the multirole J-10C fighterjets, acquired from its iron brother China, into its air force’s No 15‘Cobras’ Squadron to further strengthen its combat capabilities.
The latest addition further strengthens Pakistan Air Force (PAF) as aformidable and potent force well capable of defending the aerial frontiersof the motherland.
With the induction of J-10C “Dragon” Omni role fighter in its ranks, PAFretains the first shot BVR capability while maintaining a qualitative edgein the application of Air Power across all domains.
The modern AESA radar, Integrated EW suite, informationised infused sensorsystem and an ability to carry a wide array of weapons, makes the J-10C alethal weapon system capable of taking on any contemporary aerial andground threats with a high degree of assurance.
The fighter jet can carry fourth-generation air-to-air missiles includingthe short-range PL-10 and the beyond-visual-range PL-15.
The J-10C, a 4.5-generation medium-sized fighter jet, is more powerful thanthe JF-17, currently being used by the PAF.
Though J-10 is not a stealth aircraft, the use of non-reflective compositematerials and divert-less supersonic inlets reduces chances of it detectionon radar.
Stealth aircraft cannot be detected by radars system.
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The new jet, which is mightier than the US-made F-16, is said to be acounter to Indian purchase’s of France-made Rafale jets.
The J-10C is an air superiority fighter that matches Indian air force’sBeyond Visual Range (BVR) combat capabilities which is fixed in the Rafaleaircraft.
In 2016, India signed a deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France foraround $8.7 billion, the country’s first major acquisition of combat planesin two decades and a boost for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plan torebuild an aging fleet.
According to Indian media, Rafale can reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.8/750kt (2,222.6km per hour) and can climb to up to 50,000 ft. It can fly up toa range of 3,700 km and can be refuelled mid-air.
The advanced Rafale aircraft can carry a nuclear weapon, and deploynext-gen air-to-air MICA missile; long-range air-to-air Meteor missile;long-range SCALP missile; anti-ship AM39 EXOCET missile; laser-guided bombswith different warheads; non-guided classic bombs. It also boasts NEXTOR30M79130 mm internal cannon, according to Business Today.